Auto fill entry items

[Bob]

Hi,

I've created a form for data entry and would like the fields to auto fill as
it recognizes names I've entered prior. I'm not sure what this feature is
called? auto entry, auto fill?? A city such as Los Angeles would be
recognized when I type Lo or Los and begin entering it as I type an allow me
to select it by tabbing or something similar. I assume you can do this in
Access 07.

Can someone help me with the name for this and how I activate it?

Greatly appreciate any help offered.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

Bob

You can set this property on a combobox control.

This can be used to prevent the users from "creative spelling" by forcing
them to select an item from a list. You, as the developer, can determine
that the items in the list come from existing items in a table.

By the way, you may want to consider what happens when someone adds a city
that you DON'T already have in your table...<G>!

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP

 

[Bob]

Thanks Jeff.

I want to be able to add new names as needed but not have to type the whole
name each time it reappears. I also prefer not to use drop-downs as the
additions are continuous but often repetitive. As I mentioned earlier
something that would allow me to type Los and have Los Angeles pop into the
field where I could tab through to select it.

Thanks again.
Bob

 

[Jeff Boyce]

It sounds like you are trying to re-invent a wheel.

A combobox (dropdown) provides a space-efficient way to offer existing
values, and with the Autofill/AutoComplete (I forget the name) property set,
it will do exactly what you describe (type in "Los", get the first value
that starts with "Los...").

And you can use the NotInList property and event for that combobox to allow
you to add new values -- check Access HELP for NotInList. It even includes
code examples.

Good luck!


Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP