For tables, here is a VBA function that you can use - along with sample
usage:
'Sample Usage
if tableexits("Customers") then
msgbox "There is a table named customers"
endif
'The function
Public Function TableExists(strTableName As String) As Boolean
Dim fExists As Boolean
Dim tdf As dao.TableDef
Dim db As dao.Database
Dim intI As Integer
Set db = CurrentDb()
Do Until intI = db.TableDefs.Count - 1 Or fExists
If db.TableDefs(intI).Name = strTableName Then
fExists = True
Else
intI = intI + 1
End If
Loop
TableExists = fExists
Set db = Nothing
Set tdf = Nothing
End Function
You shold be able to use the above as a model for a FieldExists function --
*or* -- take a look
http://brenreyn.brinkster.net/default.asp for a more
generic ObjectExists function along with a well written article that
describes the different ways to define functions that determine whether an
object exists in a particular collection.