Viewing Text in Tables and not Numbers

[Greek]

I know this is an Access 101 question, but what is the best way to view text rather than numbers in my tables. In an example which I have attached, an Orders table shows the Customer field as a number. I would like to view the actual customer name when I am looking at the table. Thank you very much.

 

[spikepl]

what is the best way to view text rather than numbers in my tables

errr wrong question.

You want to see in your tables the unadulterated data as is.

If you want to see the text corresponding to the keys stored in your table, make a query. If you don't know how try the query designer. If that also fails do a tutorial on access tables and queries.

All user interaction must be through forms. In a form you can have a combobox that stores the key but shows the text values.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

one thing that would fix this is to design the table so that the default display tab (second tab at the bottom) is combo box rather than text box.

this is called a lookup field. It works the same way. the table actually stores the number, but the table displays the linked value.

now I've told you that this facility exists, our earnest recommendation is not to do this. google "the evils of lookup fields" if you don't believe me.

It is much much better to be able to see the raw data in the table, as spike suggested.

worth looking at, so you understand what it does though.

 

[Greek]

Thanks so much for taking the time to help me. The thing that often confuses me when learning this stuff is 1) Why did Microsoft add this ability if it's "evil", and 2) why are so many youtube and other tutorials promoting it?

Thanks again.