Decisions about db setup...

[thetransporter2007]

Hello everyone thanks for reading my first post.

I recently started a new job and would like to wow the boss but I need a
little help. What I am trying to create is a db with customer orders in it.
I have 3 tables so far one being a subform and is as follows:

-Customer order
-Parts detail (subform of main order)
-Customer Information

I am just getting wet behind the ears and have purchased an access 2003 book
but sometimes it's better to get the db right by asking. I'm more of a learn
by doing and would love to know what to "do" haha. Anyways.... I want a form
where you input the order and select the customer this draws the customer
info from another table and when I create my report displays it on the tip
with the parts list details. I have tried to go into expression builder and
put = the table name and the field but it just displays #Error. I thought
things weren't linked right..... i don't know i've spent quite a few hours on
this db already. I just need this problem solved first and foremost. thanks
guys

 

[John W. Vinson]

Hello everyone thanks for reading my first post.

I recently started a new job and would like to wow the boss but I need a
little help. What I am trying to create is a db with customer orders in it.
I have 3 tables so far one being a subform and is as follows:

-Customer order
-Parts detail (subform of main order)
-Customer Information

I am just getting wet behind the ears and have purchased an access 2003 book
but sometimes it's better to get the db right by asking. I'm more of a learn
by doing and would love to know what to "do" haha. Anyways.... I want a form
where you input the order and select the customer this draws the customer
info from another table and when I create my report displays it on the tip
with the parts list details. I have tried to go into expression builder and
put = the table name and the field but it just displays #Error. I thought
things weren't linked right..... i don't know i've spent quite a few hours on
this db already. I just need this problem solved first and foremost. thanks
guys

I think you may be looking in the wrong place.

Data is stored in Tables, *and only in tables*.

Forms are used to edit and view the data in tables on the screen.

Queries are used to select and combine data from one or multiple tables.

Reports are typically based on queries. Reports by themselves rarely need to
reference forms at all.

If you want to see data on a Report from two or more different tables, create
a Query joining those tables, and base your report on that query; you can't
simply name a table and field out of the blue and have Access know what to do
with it!

Take a look at the Northwind sample database which came packaged with Access.
It has a lot of quirks but it does contain a full-featured Customers,
Products, and Orders application.

John W. Vinson [MVP]