Data entry short cut

[Charlie]

I have developed and use a database for medical procedure entry. It's a
typical order with an order header and order detail subform for details. When
I enter an item, the table references the items's medical name, however I'm
looking for a way to enter abbreviations to retrieve the full description.
The first couple letters of the description aren't adequate to find the
description since so many of them are similar. I don't want any of these
abbreviations to show on forms or reports, they are strictly for use and
speed of data entry. I don't even know what that's called to look for help.

 

[Sean Timmons]

You'll want to create a table with the abbreviation and the associated full
name. Use it in a list with 2 columns and it'll let you use the result as you
desire...

 

[John W. Vinson]

I have developed and use a database for medical procedure entry. It's a
typical order with an order header and order detail subform for details. When
I enter an item, the table references the items's medical name, however I'm
looking for a way to enter abbreviations to retrieve the full description.
The first couple letters of the description aren't adequate to find the
description since so many of them are similar. I don't want any of these
abbreviations to show on forms or reports, they are strictly for use and
speed of data entry. I don't even know what that's called to look for help.

You'll want to add an Abbreviation field to the table of items, and use a
Combo Box bound to that field for data entry. Your order detail table should
certainly NOT contain the item's medical name, though - just a link to the
Items table primary key (which might well be the abbreviation, if that value
is stable and unique). Your reports would use a Query linking to the items
table to pick up the description.