TABLE VIEW IN ACCESS 2000

[Shelly C]

I have set up a database of all my CDs. When I add new ones to the bottom of
the table then close the table - Access sorts it into some sort of an order,
usually by column A.

This then means that all the tracks then appear in random order rather than
1-2-3 etc. In addition the new ones are automatically sorted into the table
and not left at the bottom.

This is a bit annoying as I am in the process of hyperlinking the database
to my music libriary and I have to search through currently around 2,000
fields to find the ones which still need to be hyperlinked.

I know how the sort function works but you can only sort on one column at a
time - unlike Excel where multiple columns may be sorted.

Any ideas would be welcome

Thanks

 

[Allen Browne]

Create a query.

In query design, there is a Sorting row.
This lets you sort on any number of fields.

 

[Rob Parker]

Hi Shelley,

My first idea would be that you should learn about relational databases -
which is what Access is. It's NOT a spreadsheet. And you shouldn't be
entering or viewing data directly in tables - you use forms and reports for
that.

If you are recording not only CDs but the tracks thereon, you should have a
minimum of two tables in your database; one would hold details of each CD,
and the other would hold details of tracks on CDs. For example:

Table: tblCDs
Fields: CDID - an ID number, unique to each CD. You could use the CD
catalog number, but an autonumber would probably be easier. This field is
the primary key.
Title
ReleaseYear
Artist
...

Table: tblTracks
Fields: TrackID - autonumber
CDID - the primary key number for the CD contining this
track
SongTitle
TrackNumber
...

You can combine these two tables in a query and sort on multiple fields to
get the order you want for display in a form/report. You would set up a
form to enter CD details, with a linked sub-form to enter the track details.

Trying to use a single table in Access like a giant spreadsheet is NOT how
to use it. If you want to learn, here's a page with links to lots of
resources: http://www.accessmvp.com/JConrad/accessjunkie/resources.html

Browse things under Database Design 101 and Interface Design as a starting
point. When you get stuck, come to these newsgroups and post specific
questions - you'll get lots of help.

HTH,

Rob