I'm trying to figure out how to have a field in a table that is a calculated
value. Is that possible? I have two fields: chrFirstName and chrLastName. I
want the calculated field to be something like: "=[chrFirstname] & " " &
[chrLastName]". Do I input this? I've been reading on the append queries;
would that solve the issue? I came across this: "you can create a full name
calculated field by combining the text from the first name and last name
fields. You can then append the full name values to a full name field in a
table." That sounds like what I want but I have NO idea how to do that. I
only have one table: tblName - do I need two? Where would the calculated
field reside?
--
Thank you! - Jennifer

Hi, Jennifer. The simple answer is that you can't do calculations in a table.
Tables are static; they hold stuff. However, we can use queries to make
lots of calculations, and store the results back in the table. Queries are
dynamic; they DO stuff.

So, let's say that you have a "Contacts" table and you have two fields
FirstName and LastName. You want to fill in the field FullName in the
Contacts table which will contain the FirstName, a space, and the LastName.

Create a query and add the Contacts table to it. Drag the three fields
FirstName, LastName and FullName into the query window.

Change your query to an Update Query, and click in the "Update To" row of
the FullName field. Type in the following:

FirstName & " " & LastName

When you run the query, it will fill in the FullName for each record as
"FirstName LastName" (with the space between them).

However, you probably wouldn't want to actually store the FullName in the
table; you don't need to. You'll want the FullName in reports, sure, but you
can calculate it on the fly using almost the same syntax in the report that
you would have used in the update query.

Or, create a query and put in your Firstname and LastName fields as before.
( In this example, we'll say that you don't have a FullName column, just
First and Last.) Then in the third column of the query, in the top row, type
the following:

FullName: FirstName & " " & LastName

Whenever you run the query, you'll see three columns; the two from your
table, and the FullName column calculated whenever you need it. Then you can
base your forms and reports on the Query and not on the table.

Play around with this idea. Remember that Access is a real "division of
labor" program; each part of the database (tables, queries, forms and
reports) do one thing well. Use the part that does each job best.

"Jennifer Cali" wrote:

> I'm trying to figure out how to have a field in a table that is a calculated
> value. Is that possible? I have two fields: chrFirstName and chrLastName. I
> want the calculated field to be something like: "=[chrFirstname] & " " &
> [chrLastName]". Do I input this? I've been reading on the append queries;
> would that solve the issue? I came across this: "you can create a full name
> calculated field by combining the text from the first name and last name
> fields. You can then append the full name values to a full name field in a
> table." That sounds like what I want but I have NO idea how to do that. I
> only have one table: tblName - do I need two? Where would the calculated
> field reside?
> --
> Thank you! - Jennifer

Ken, you have more than answered my question. I really can't thank you enough
- this is one of the best replies I've received!
--
Thank you! - Jennifer


"Ken Mitchell" wrote:

> Hi, Jennifer. The simple answer is that you can't do calculations in a table.
> Tables are static; they hold stuff. However, we can use queries to make
> lots of calculations, and store the results back in the table. Queries are
> dynamic; they DO stuff.
>
> So, let's say that you have a "Contacts" table and you have two fields
> FirstName and LastName. You want to fill in the field FullName in the
> Contacts table which will contain the FirstName, a space, and the LastName.
>
> Create a query and add the Contacts table to it. Drag the three fields
> FirstName, LastName and FullName into the query window.
>
> Change your query to an Update Query, and click in the "Update To" row of
> the FullName field. Type in the following:
>
> FirstName & " " & LastName
>
> When you run the query, it will fill in the FullName for each record as
> "FirstName LastName" (with the space between them).
>
> However, you probably wouldn't want to actually store the FullName in the
> table; you don't need to. You'll want the FullName in reports, sure, but you
> can calculate it on the fly using almost the same syntax in the report that
> you would have used in the update query.
>
> Or, create a query and put in your Firstname and LastName fields as before.
> ( In this example, we'll say that you don't have a FullName column, just
> First and Last.) Then in the third column of the query, in the top row, type
> the following:
>
> FullName: FirstName & " " & LastName
>
> Whenever you run the query, you'll see three columns; the two from your
> table, and the FullName column calculated whenever you need it. Then you can
> base your forms and reports on the Query and not on the table.
>
> Play around with this idea. Remember that Access is a real "division of
> labor" program; each part of the database (tables, queries, forms and
> reports) do one thing well. Use the part that does each job best.
>
> "Jennifer Cali" wrote:
>
> > I'm trying to figure out how to have a field in a table that is a calculated
> > value. Is that possible? I have two fields: chrFirstName and chrLastName. I
> > want the calculated field to be something like: "=[chrFirstname] & " " &
> > [chrLastName]". Do I input this? I've been reading on the append queries;
> > would that solve the issue? I came across this: "you can create a full name
> > calculated field by combining the text from the first name and last name
> > fields. You can then append the full name values to a full name field in a
> > table." That sounds like what I want but I have NO idea how to do that. I
> > only have one table: tblName - do I need two? Where would the calculated
> > field reside?
> > --
> > Thank you! - Jennifer

Ok, I think I did something wrong

I did the query just as you said, but when I open the table back up, I see
this:

chrFirstName chrLastName chrCombinedName
Jennifer Cali chrFirstName chrLastName
Jack Traper chrFirstName chrLastName
Andy Zoller chrFirstName chrLastName

It seems to be reading my entry as text and not as a formula. How do I make
it read as a formula to show the combined name and not (what appears to be)
the formula I entered?



--
Thank you! - Jennifer


"Ken Mitchell" wrote:

> Hi, Jennifer. The simple answer is that you can't do calculations in a table.
> Tables are static; they hold stuff. However, we can use queries to make
> lots of calculations, and store the results back in the table. Queries are
> dynamic; they DO stuff.
>
> So, let's say that you have a "Contacts" table and you have two fields
> FirstName and LastName. You want to fill in the field FullName in the
> Contacts table which will contain the FirstName, a space, and the LastName.
>
> Create a query and add the Contacts table to it. Drag the three fields
> FirstName, LastName and FullName into the query window.
>
> Change your query to an Update Query, and click in the "Update To" row of
> the FullName field. Type in the following:
>
> FirstName & " " & LastName
>
> When you run the query, it will fill in the FullName for each record as
> "FirstName LastName" (with the space between them).
>
> However, you probably wouldn't want to actually store the FullName in the
> table; you don't need to. You'll want the FullName in reports, sure, but you
> can calculate it on the fly using almost the same syntax in the report that
> you would have used in the update query.
>
> Or, create a query and put in your Firstname and LastName fields as before.
> ( In this example, we'll say that you don't have a FullName column, just
> First and Last.) Then in the third column of the query, in the top row, type
> the following:
>
> FullName: FirstName & " " & LastName
>
> Whenever you run the query, you'll see three columns; the two from your
> table, and the FullName column calculated whenever you need it. Then you can
> base your forms and reports on the Query and not on the table.
>
> Play around with this idea. Remember that Access is a real "division of
> labor" program; each part of the database (tables, queries, forms and
> reports) do one thing well. Use the part that does each job best.
>
> "Jennifer Cali" wrote:
>
> > I'm trying to figure out how to have a field in a table that is a calculated
> > value. Is that possible? I have two fields: chrFirstName and chrLastName. I
> > want the calculated field to be something like: "=[chrFirstname] & " " &
> > [chrLastName]". Do I input this? I've been reading on the append queries;
> > would that solve the issue? I came across this: "you can create a full name
> > calculated field by combining the text from the first name and last name
> > fields. You can then append the full name values to a full name field in a
> > table." That sounds like what I want but I have NO idea how to do that. I
> > only have one table: tblName - do I need two? Where would the calculated
> > field reside?
> > --
> > Thank you! - Jennifer

Hi, Jennifer. Thanks for the kind words.

It looks like you may have put quote marks in the formula. The only quote
marks should be the ones around the space between the names. It ought to look
like this:

chrCombinedName: chrFirstName &" " & chrLastName

If it doesn't work, then please copy the exact text of the formula and paste
it back into your reply.

I hope this works for you!

"Jennifer Cali" wrote:

> Ok, I think I did something wrong
>
> I did the query just as you said, but when I open the table back up, I see
> this:
>
> chrFirstName chrLastName chrCombinedName
> Jennifer Cali chrFirstName chrLastName
> Jack Traper chrFirstName chrLastName
> Andy Zoller chrFirstName chrLastName
>
> It seems to be reading my entry as text and not as a formula. How do I make
> it read as a formula to show the combined name and not (what appears to be)
> the formula I entered?
>
>
>
> --
> Thank you! - Jennifer
>
>
> "Ken Mitchell" wrote:
>
> > Hi, Jennifer. The simple answer is that you can't do calculations in a table.
> > Tables are static; they hold stuff. However, we can use queries to make
> > lots of calculations, and store the results back in the table. Queries are
> > dynamic; they DO stuff.
> >
> > So, let's say that you have a "Contacts" table and you have two fields
> > FirstName and LastName. You want to fill in the field FullName in the
> > Contacts table which will contain the FirstName, a space, and the LastName.
> >
> > Create a query and add the Contacts table to it. Drag the three fields
> > FirstName, LastName and FullName into the query window.
> >
> > Change your query to an Update Query, and click in the "Update To" row of
> > the FullName field. Type in the following:
> >
> > FirstName & " " & LastName
> >
> > When you run the query, it will fill in the FullName for each record as
> > "FirstName LastName" (with the space between them).
> >
> > However, you probably wouldn't want to actually store the FullName in the
> > table; you don't need to. You'll want the FullName in reports, sure, but you
> > can calculate it on the fly using almost the same syntax in the report that
> > you would have used in the update query.
> >
> > Or, create a query and put in your Firstname and LastName fields as before.
> > ( In this example, we'll say that you don't have a FullName column, just
> > First and Last.) Then in the third column of the query, in the top row, type
> > the following:
> >
> > FullName: FirstName & " " & LastName
> >
> > Whenever you run the query, you'll see three columns; the two from your
> > table, and the FullName column calculated whenever you need it. Then you can
> > base your forms and reports on the Query and not on the table.
> >
> > Play around with this idea. Remember that Access is a real "division of
> > labor" program; each part of the database (tables, queries, forms and
> > reports) do one thing well. Use the part that does each job best.
> >
> > "Jennifer Cali" wrote:
> >
> > > I'm trying to figure out how to have a field in a table that is a calculated
> > > value. Is that possible? I have two fields: chrFirstName and chrLastName. I
> > > want the calculated field to be something like: "=[chrFirstname] & " " &
> > > [chrLastName]". Do I input this? I've been reading on the append queries;
> > > would that solve the issue? I came across this: "you can create a full name
> > > calculated field by combining the text from the first name and last name
> > > fields. You can then append the full name values to a full name field in a
> > > table." That sounds like what I want but I have NO idea how to do that. I
> > > only have one table: tblName - do I need two? Where would the calculated
> > > field reside?
> > > --
> > > Thank you! - Jennifer

OK, my mistake; when you created the Update Query, I had forgotten that for
this one part of the program, the query will not automatically enclose the
field names in square brackets. Type your query like this:

[chrFirstName] & " " & [chrLastName]

In almost every other part of Access, the program puts those square brackets
in automagically. You have to HAVE the brackets, but this is the only place
that you have to TYPE them.

Sorry about that.


"Jennifer Cali" wrote:

> Ok, I think I did something wrong
>
> I did the query just as you said, but when I open the table back up, I see
> this:
>
> chrFirstName chrLastName chrCombinedName
> Jennifer Cali chrFirstName chrLastName
> Jack Traper chrFirstName chrLastName
> Andy Zoller chrFirstName chrLastName
>
> It seems to be reading my entry as text and not as a formula. How do I make
> it read as a formula to show the combined name and not (what appears to be)
> the formula I entered?
>
>
>
> --
> Thank you! - Jennifer
>
>
> "Ken Mitchell" wrote:
>
> > Hi, Jennifer. The simple answer is that you can't do calculations in a table.
> > Tables are static; they hold stuff. However, we can use queries to make
> > lots of calculations, and store the results back in the table. Queries are
> > dynamic; they DO stuff.
> >
> > So, let's say that you have a "Contacts" table and you have two fields
> > FirstName and LastName. You want to fill in the field FullName in the
> > Contacts table which will contain the FirstName, a space, and the LastName.
> >
> > Create a query and add the Contacts table to it. Drag the three fields
> > FirstName, LastName and FullName into the query window.
> >
> > Change your query to an Update Query, and click in the "Update To" row of
> > the FullName field. Type in the following:
> >
> > FirstName & " " & LastName
> >
> > When you run the query, it will fill in the FullName for each record as
> > "FirstName LastName" (with the space between them).
> >
> > However, you probably wouldn't want to actually store the FullName in the
> > table; you don't need to. You'll want the FullName in reports, sure, but you
> > can calculate it on the fly using almost the same syntax in the report that
> > you would have used in the update query.
> >
> > Or, create a query and put in your Firstname and LastName fields as before.
> > ( In this example, we'll say that you don't have a FullName column, just
> > First and Last.) Then in the third column of the query, in the top row, type
> > the following:
> >
> > FullName: FirstName & " " & LastName
> >
> > Whenever you run the query, you'll see three columns; the two from your
> > table, and the FullName column calculated whenever you need it. Then you can
> > base your forms and reports on the Query and not on the table.
> >
> > Play around with this idea. Remember that Access is a real "division of
> > labor" program; each part of the database (tables, queries, forms and
> > reports) do one thing well. Use the part that does each job best.
> >
> > "Jennifer Cali" wrote:
> >
> > > I'm trying to figure out how to have a field in a table that is a calculated
> > > value. Is that possible? I have two fields: chrFirstName and chrLastName. I
> > > want the calculated field to be something like: "=[chrFirstname] & " " &
> > > [chrLastName]". Do I input this? I've been reading on the append queries;
> > > would that solve the issue? I came across this: "you can create a full name
> > > calculated field by combining the text from the first name and last name
> > > fields. You can then append the full name values to a full name field in a
> > > table." That sounds like what I want but I have NO idea how to do that. I
> > > only have one table: tblName - do I need two? Where would the calculated
> > > field reside?
> > > --
> > > Thank you! - Jennifer

Hi Ken,
Ok, here's my steps:
1. Created a new query
2. Set query type to "Update"
3. Brought three fields from tblNames into the query (chrFirstName,
chrLastName, chrCombinedName)
4. In the "Update To" box under chrCombinedName I entered the text:
chrFirstName & " " & chrLastName
5. Click out of the cell

When I click out of the cell it automatically enteres the "", so it shows up
in the cell as "chrFirstName" & " " & "chrLastName" instead of chrFirstName &
" " & chrLastName

How can I make it stop inserting the ""?


--
Thank you! - Jennifer


"Ken Mitchell" wrote:

> Hi, Jennifer. Thanks for the kind words.
>
> It looks like you may have put quote marks in the formula. The only quote
> marks should be the ones around the space between the names. It ought to look
> like this:
>
> chrCombinedName: chrFirstName &" " & chrLastName
>
> If it doesn't work, then please copy the exact text of the formula and paste
> it back into your reply.
>
> I hope this works for you!
>
> "Jennifer Cali" wrote:
>
> > Ok, I think I did something wrong
> >
> > I did the query just as you said, but when I open the table back up, I see
> > this:
> >
> > chrFirstName chrLastName chrCombinedName
> > Jennifer Cali chrFirstName chrLastName
> > Jack Traper chrFirstName chrLastName
> > Andy Zoller chrFirstName chrLastName
> >
> > It seems to be reading my entry as text and not as a formula. How do I make
> > it read as a formula to show the combined name and not (what appears to be)
> > the formula I entered?
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Thank you! - Jennifer
> >
> >
> > "Ken Mitchell" wrote:
> >
> > > Hi, Jennifer. The simple answer is that you can't do calculations in a table.
> > > Tables are static; they hold stuff. However, we can use queries to make
> > > lots of calculations, and store the results back in the table. Queries are
> > > dynamic; they DO stuff.
> > >
> > > So, let's say that you have a "Contacts" table and you have two fields
> > > FirstName and LastName. You want to fill in the field FullName in the
> > > Contacts table which will contain the FirstName, a space, and the LastName.
> > >
> > > Create a query and add the Contacts table to it. Drag the three fields
> > > FirstName, LastName and FullName into the query window.
> > >
> > > Change your query to an Update Query, and click in the "Update To" row of
> > > the FullName field. Type in the following:
> > >
> > > FirstName & " " & LastName
> > >
> > > When you run the query, it will fill in the FullName for each record as
> > > "FirstName LastName" (with the space between them).
> > >
> > > However, you probably wouldn't want to actually store the FullName in the
> > > table; you don't need to. You'll want the FullName in reports, sure, but you
> > > can calculate it on the fly using almost the same syntax in the report that
> > > you would have used in the update query.
> > >
> > > Or, create a query and put in your Firstname and LastName fields as before.
> > > ( In this example, we'll say that you don't have a FullName column, just
> > > First and Last.) Then in the third column of the query, in the top row, type
> > > the following:
> > >
> > > FullName: FirstName & " " & LastName
> > >
> > > Whenever you run the query, you'll see three columns; the two from your
> > > table, and the FullName column calculated whenever you need it. Then you can
> > > base your forms and reports on the Query and not on the table.
> > >
> > > Play around with this idea. Remember that Access is a real "division of
> > > labor" program; each part of the database (tables, queries, forms and
> > > reports) do one thing well. Use the part that does each job best.
> > >
> > > "Jennifer Cali" wrote:
> > >
> > > > I'm trying to figure out how to have a field in a table that is a calculated
> > > > value. Is that possible? I have two fields: chrFirstName and chrLastName. I
> > > > want the calculated field to be something like: "=[chrFirstname] & " " &
> > > > [chrLastName]". Do I input this? I've been reading on the append queries;
> > > > would that solve the issue? I came across this: "you can create a full name
> > > > calculated field by combining the text from the first name and last name
> > > > fields. You can then append the full name values to a full name field in a
> > > > table." That sounds like what I want but I have NO idea how to do that. I
> > > > only have one table: tblName - do I need two? Where would the calculated
> > > > field reside?
> > > > --
> > > > Thank you! - Jennifer

I got it! If I add the brackets around the names, it works: [chrFirstName] &"
" & [chrLastName]

Thanks - I couldn't have got this far alone!
--
Thank you! - Jennifer


"Ken Mitchell" wrote:

> Hi, Jennifer. Thanks for the kind words.
>
> It looks like you may have put quote marks in the formula. The only quote
> marks should be the ones around the space between the names. It ought to look
> like this:
>
> chrCombinedName: chrFirstName &" " & chrLastName
>
> If it doesn't work, then please copy the exact text of the formula and paste
> it back into your reply.
>
> I hope this works for you!
>
> "Jennifer Cali" wrote:
>
> > Ok, I think I did something wrong
> >
> > I did the query just as you said, but when I open the table back up, I see
> > this:
> >
> > chrFirstName chrLastName chrCombinedName
> > Jennifer Cali chrFirstName chrLastName
> > Jack Traper chrFirstName chrLastName
> > Andy Zoller chrFirstName chrLastName
> >
> > It seems to be reading my entry as text and not as a formula. How do I make
> > it read as a formula to show the combined name and not (what appears to be)
> > the formula I entered?
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Thank you! - Jennifer
> >
> >
> > "Ken Mitchell" wrote:
> >
> > > Hi, Jennifer. The simple answer is that you can't do calculations in a table.
> > > Tables are static; they hold stuff. However, we can use queries to make
> > > lots of calculations, and store the results back in the table. Queries are
> > > dynamic; they DO stuff.
> > >
> > > So, let's say that you have a "Contacts" table and you have two fields
> > > FirstName and LastName. You want to fill in the field FullName in the
> > > Contacts table which will contain the FirstName, a space, and the LastName.
> > >
> > > Create a query and add the Contacts table to it. Drag the three fields
> > > FirstName, LastName and FullName into the query window.
> > >
> > > Change your query to an Update Query, and click in the "Update To" row of
> > > the FullName field. Type in the following:
> > >
> > > FirstName & " " & LastName
> > >
> > > When you run the query, it will fill in the FullName for each record as
> > > "FirstName LastName" (with the space between them).
> > >
> > > However, you probably wouldn't want to actually store the FullName in the
> > > table; you don't need to. You'll want the FullName in reports, sure, but you
> > > can calculate it on the fly using almost the same syntax in the report that
> > > you would have used in the update query.
> > >
> > > Or, create a query and put in your Firstname and LastName fields as before.
> > > ( In this example, we'll say that you don't have a FullName column, just
> > > First and Last.) Then in the third column of the query, in the top row, type
> > > the following:
> > >
> > > FullName: FirstName & " " & LastName
> > >
> > > Whenever you run the query, you'll see three columns; the two from your
> > > table, and the FullName column calculated whenever you need it. Then you can
> > > base your forms and reports on the Query and not on the table.
> > >
> > > Play around with this idea. Remember that Access is a real "division of
> > > labor" program; each part of the database (tables, queries, forms and
> > > reports) do one thing well. Use the part that does each job best.
> > >
> > > "Jennifer Cali" wrote:
> > >
> > > > I'm trying to figure out how to have a field in a table that is a calculated
> > > > value. Is that possible? I have two fields: chrFirstName and chrLastName. I
> > > > want the calculated field to be something like: "=[chrFirstname] & " " &
> > > > [chrLastName]". Do I input this? I've been reading on the append queries;
> > > > would that solve the issue? I came across this: "you can create a full name
> > > > calculated field by combining the text from the first name and last name
> > > > fields. You can then append the full name values to a full name field in a
> > > > table." That sounds like what I want but I have NO idea how to do that. I
> > > > only have one table: tblName - do I need two? Where would the calculated
> > > > field reside?
> > > > --
> > > > Thank you! - Jennifer

You are welcome.

The price of assistance is this. Someday, you'll be reading one of these
groups, and you're going to say "Wow! I know the answer to THIS question!"
You must answer it. Someday. :-)

Have a great evening.

"Jennifer Cali" wrote:

> I got it! If I add the brackets around the names, it works: [chrFirstName] &"
> " & [chrLastName]
>
> Thanks - I couldn't have got this far alone!
> --
> Thank you! - Jennifer
>
>
> "Ken Mitchell" wrote:
>
> > Hi, Jennifer. Thanks for the kind words.
> >
> > It looks like you may have put quote marks in the formula. The only quote
> > marks should be the ones around the space between the names. It ought to look
> > like this:
> >
> > chrCombinedName: chrFirstName &" " & chrLastName
> >
> > If it doesn't work, then please copy the exact text of the formula and paste
> > it back into your reply.
> >
> > I hope this works for you!
> >
> > "Jennifer Cali" wrote:
> >
> > > Ok, I think I did something wrong
> > >
> > > I did the query just as you said, but when I open the table back up, I see
> > > this:
> > >
> > > chrFirstName chrLastName chrCombinedName
> > > Jennifer Cali chrFirstName chrLastName
> > > Jack Traper chrFirstName chrLastName
> > > Andy Zoller chrFirstName chrLastName
> > >
> > > It seems to be reading my entry as text and not as a formula. How do I make
> > > it read as a formula to show the combined name and not (what appears to be)
> > > the formula I entered?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Thank you! - Jennifer
> > >
> > >
> > > "Ken Mitchell" wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hi, Jennifer. The simple answer is that you can't do calculations in a table.
> > > > Tables are static; they hold stuff. However, we can use queries to make
> > > > lots of calculations, and store the results back in the table. Queries are
> > > > dynamic; they DO stuff.
> > > >
> > > > So, let's say that you have a "Contacts" table and you have two fields
> > > > FirstName and LastName. You want to fill in the field FullName in the
> > > > Contacts table which will contain the FirstName, a space, and the LastName.
> > > >
> > > > Create a query and add the Contacts table to it. Drag the three fields
> > > > FirstName, LastName and FullName into the query window.
> > > >
> > > > Change your query to an Update Query, and click in the "Update To" row of
> > > > the FullName field. Type in the following:
> > > >
> > > > FirstName & " " & LastName
> > > >
> > > > When you run the query, it will fill in the FullName for each record as
> > > > "FirstName LastName" (with the space between them).
> > > >
> > > > However, you probably wouldn't want to actually store the FullName in the
> > > > table; you don't need to. You'll want the FullName in reports, sure, but you
> > > > can calculate it on the fly using almost the same syntax in the report that
> > > > you would have used in the update query.
> > > >
> > > > Or, create a query and put in your Firstname and LastName fields as before.
> > > > ( In this example, we'll say that you don't have a FullName column, just
> > > > First and Last.) Then in the third column of the query, in the top row, type
> > > > the following:
> > > >
> > > > FullName: FirstName & " " & LastName
> > > >
> > > > Whenever you run the query, you'll see three columns; the two from your
> > > > table, and the FullName column calculated whenever you need it. Then you can
> > > > base your forms and reports on the Query and not on the table.
> > > >
> > > > Play around with this idea. Remember that Access is a real "division of
> > > > labor" program; each part of the database (tables, queries, forms and
> > > > reports) do one thing well. Use the part that does each job best.
> > > >
> > > > "Jennifer Cali" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > I'm trying to figure out how to have a field in a table that is a calculated
> > > > > value. Is that possible? I have two fields: chrFirstName and chrLastName. I
> > > > > want the calculated field to be something like: "=[chrFirstname] & " " &
> > > > > [chrLastName]". Do I input this? I've been reading on the append queries;
> > > > > would that solve the issue? I came across this: "you can create a full name
> > > > > calculated field by combining the text from the first name and last name
> > > > > fields. You can then append the full name values to a full name field in a
> > > > > table." That sounds like what I want but I have NO idea how to do that. I
> > > > > only have one table: tblName - do I need two? Where would the calculated
> > > > > field reside?
> > > > > --
> > > > > Thank you! - Jennifer

On the other hand, why store the combination? Bad practice having redundant
data in the table!
Use a Query to Combine the fields as needed
ie

Select A.ChrFirstName, A.ChrLastName, A.ChrFirstName& ' ' & A.ChrLastName AS
FullName From MyTable A

Will always give the correct answer (even if somebody changes their name)

Pieter

"Jennifer Cali" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:1B1B7B14-BAA2-4959-85B7-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I got it! If I add the brackets around the names, it works: [chrFirstName]
>&"
> " & [chrLastName]
>
> Thanks - I couldn't have got this far alone!
> --
> Thank you! - Jennifer
>
>
> "Ken Mitchell" wrote:
>
>> Hi, Jennifer. Thanks for the kind words.
>>
>> It looks like you may have put quote marks in the formula. The only
>> quote
>> marks should be the ones around the space between the names. It ought to
>> look
>> like this:
>>
>> chrCombinedName: chrFirstName &" " & chrLastName
>>
>> If it doesn't work, then please copy the exact text of the formula and
>> paste
>> it back into your reply.
>>
>> I hope this works for you!
>>
>> "Jennifer Cali" wrote:
>>
>> > Ok, I think I did something wrong
>> >
>> > I did the query just as you said, but when I open the table back up, I
>> > see
>> > this:
>> >
>> > chrFirstName chrLastName chrCombinedName
>> > Jennifer Cali chrFirstName chrLastName
>> > Jack Traper chrFirstName chrLastName
>> > Andy Zoller chrFirstName chrLastName
>> >
>> > It seems to be reading my entry as text and not as a formula. How do I
>> > make
>> > it read as a formula to show the combined name and not (what appears to
>> > be)
>> > the formula I entered?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Thank you! - Jennifer
>> >
>> >
>> > "Ken Mitchell" wrote:
>> >
>> > > Hi, Jennifer. The simple answer is that you can't do calculations in
>> > > a table.
>> > > Tables are static; they hold stuff. However, we can use queries to
>> > > make
>> > > lots of calculations, and store the results back in the table.
>> > > Queries are
>> > > dynamic; they DO stuff.
>> > >
>> > > So, let's say that you have a "Contacts" table and you have two
>> > > fields
>> > > FirstName and LastName. You want to fill in the field FullName in
>> > > the
>> > > Contacts table which will contain the FirstName, a space, and the
>> > > LastName.
>> > >
>> > > Create a query and add the Contacts table to it. Drag the three
>> > > fields
>> > > FirstName, LastName and FullName into the query window.
>> > >
>> > > Change your query to an Update Query, and click in the "Update To"
>> > > row of
>> > > the FullName field. Type in the following:
>> > >
>> > > FirstName & " " & LastName
>> > >
>> > > When you run the query, it will fill in the FullName for each record
>> > > as
>> > > "FirstName LastName" (with the space between them).
>> > >
>> > > However, you probably wouldn't want to actually store the FullName in
>> > > the
>> > > table; you don't need to. You'll want the FullName in reports, sure,
>> > > but you
>> > > can calculate it on the fly using almost the same syntax in the
>> > > report that
>> > > you would have used in the update query.
>> > >
>> > > Or, create a query and put in your Firstname and LastName fields as
>> > > before.
>> > > ( In this example, we'll say that you don't have a FullName column,
>> > > just
>> > > First and Last.) Then in the third column of the query, in the top
>> > > row, type
>> > > the following:
>> > >
>> > > FullName: FirstName & " " & LastName
>> > >
>> > > Whenever you run the query, you'll see three columns; the two from
>> > > your
>> > > table, and the FullName column calculated whenever you need it. Then
>> > > you can
>> > > base your forms and reports on the Query and not on the table.
>> > >
>> > > Play around with this idea. Remember that Access is a real "division
>> > > of
>> > > labor" program; each part of the database (tables, queries, forms and
>> > > reports) do one thing well. Use the part that does each job best.
>> > >
>> > > "Jennifer Cali" wrote:
>> > >
>> > > > I'm trying to figure out how to have a field in a table that is a
>> > > > calculated
>> > > > value. Is that possible? I have two fields: chrFirstName and
>> > > > chrLastName. I
>> > > > want the calculated field to be something like: "=[chrFirstname] &
>> > > > " " &
>> > > > [chrLastName]". Do I input this? I've been reading on the append
>> > > > queries;
>> > > > would that solve the issue? I came across this: "you can create a
>> > > > full name
>> > > > calculated field by combining the text from the first name and last
>> > > > name
>> > > > fields. You can then append the full name values to a full name
>> > > > field in a
>> > > > table." That sounds like what I want but I have NO idea how to do
>> > > > that. I
>> > > > only have one table: tblName - do I need two? Where would the
>> > > > calculated
>> > > > field reside?
>> > > > --
>> > > > Thank you! - Jennifer