Question about lookup fields, how to get around them?

[Dennis]

I have a database I was building as a project and I read how bad
Look-up fields were in tables and I was wondering how one would go
about doing this. I have fields that I want to have the user input
certain information like a choice for a transmission so they would
have to enter "Standard" or "Automatic". I would like the user to use
a combo box to enter this information with pre-defined selections.
Does this make sense and can anybody help with some good ideas?

Thanks for any help, Dennis

 

[tina]

yes, look-up fields are a pain in tables, but your users
should enter data only thru forms anyway, never directly
into a table.
so in your form design, create a combo box instead of a
text box, for the field(s) where you want to specify data
entry choices. if you've never done it before, the wizard
will walk you thru it.
fyi, a value list is the quickest to create when you want
to offer only a few selections. but if you create a table
to hold the selections and base the combo box on that
table, in the long run it will be easier to maintain the
list (and safer, if you set your table relationships
correctly).

hth

 

[Rick Brandt]

I have a database I was building as a project and I read how bad
Look-up fields were in tables and I was wondering how one would go
about doing this. I have fields that I want to have the user input
certain information like a choice for a transmission so they would
have to enter "Standard" or "Automatic". I would like the user to use
a combo box to enter this information with pre-defined selections.
Does this make sense and can anybody help with some good ideas?

Thanks for any help, Dennis

Use forms for input and place the ComboBox on the form.