Select from Same Choices, Various Drop Downs on Form

[kalyhan]

Hi Everyone. I'm sure this is not a new question to Access pros...
I've got one table showing all possible selections contained in 1 column,
from which users choose an appropriate "department". The table
actually has 2 columns, but column 1 is just an auto number field - not
used on the form. The selections from this table must be used in 9 different
drop down boxes on a form. Each drop down box may yield a different
department, but the choices remain the same.

When looking at the data view or any query I've created, why does the
department name chosen show up in the first drop down box, but the auto
number (from column 1) shows in the remaining 8 drop down box choices??

I've verified my column info for each drop down box on my table set up - (2
columns, bound column 2, column width = 0"; 22").

Can anyone tello me what I'm doing wrong??

Thanks!

 

[Rob Oldfield]

Using drop down boxes and combos at the table level is a bad idea. Users
shouldn't be able to see the tables, and the developer should be able to see
the ACTUAL data instead of a looked up value. Lose them on the tables and
then apply the display settings that you want on the forms that the users
are going to be using.

(It's been a while since I tried doing it the way you describe, so I can't
say exactly why you're seeing what you're seeing.)

 

[kalyhan]

Thanks for your response. Actually, I made the boxes so users were prompted
to select only one of the choices, where the form calls for it. I am the one
who actually views the tables, creates queries, etc. I created one
particular query
where costs are associated with a "department". Total costs could actually be
spread out over several different departments within this query and the user
of
the form selects each department (combo boxes from the same table) as needed.

When printing the report from this query, the "auto-number" from the
department table shows up in all the department fields (all except the first
field). This
report is printed by supervisors who are not going to know what all the
"auto-numbers" are, they want to see each department name.

Any suggestions?

Thanks again.

kalyhan

 

[Rob Oldfield]

Modify the query so that it shows the actual data, instead of just the
numbers.

 

[kalyhan]

Thanks Rob.

When you say modify, are you suggesting the numbers be manually
changed the to the actual dept names in the query?

This info would be queried each week or month. There must be a way the
dept names carry over into the query or report - it carries the auto numbers
over (column 1) instead of the dept names (column 2) - even though my coding
is set up as follows:
Bound Colum - 2
Total Columns - 2
Column Widths - 0"; 22"

 

[Rob Oldfield]

Yes. Changing to the department names is exactly what I mean. Combos don't
really work for reports.