Letting the user search easier

[Russell]

Hi everyone,

Hope someone can help me out. I currently have built a
database to track airline tickets. In order for the user
to find a particular ticket i have them use the "Filter by
Form" buttons but they can't seem to get used to it.
Plus, if they want to do a partial match they have to type
a "*" at the end.

Ideally, I want them to click a button that either clears
the current record and lets the user type anywhere in the
form, hit return and initiate a search, or have a button
called "search" or whatever, they click it, a small form
comes up where they can type a partial or full piece of
criteria into any of the fields on this new form, hit
return, initiate the search, the popup form closes, they
go back to the main form with access to the queried
records.

I can't seem to do this with my skill level, or lack
thereof. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Jim/Chris]

You could add a combo box on the form. The combo box drop
down list could contain name,ticket number, date or a
combination. After selecting the ticket they want the
form automatically goes to that record.

Jim

 

[Russell]

That was my first choice but the user needs to be able to
enter text in these boxes also. as far as i know you
can't enter data in a combo box.