I am new to Access and relatively self-taught, so forgive me if this question
is not well-stated.

I have several tables with lookup fields -- all combo boxes and all based
off an existing table. In the past, when I begin typing in this lookup
field, the program would suggest the correct value as I continue typing. For
some reason, the program now stops searching after I type two characters and
leaves me with whatever value it arrived at based on those two characters.
As I keep typing, I just add random letters to the value the program selected
based on those two characters. For example, if I was typing the word
"Microsoft," but "Michael" was the first value in the lookup table, I would
get something that looks like "MiCROchael." Instead of typing through the
field, I now have to choose the value from the drop-down menu. Not critical,
but annoying because it used to work correctly.

Any suggestions???

Frankly, using lookup fields is NOT recommended (see
http://www.mvps.org/access/lookupfields.htm) Lookups should only be done
using combos and lists on forms.

However, what you can try is to turn off AutoExpand, save the table then
turn it back on. Or Do a Compact and Repair.

HTH
Scott<>
Microsoft Access MVP 2007

emch62 wrote:
> I am new to Access and relatively self-taught, so forgive me if this question
> is not well-stated.
>
> I have several tables with lookup fields -- all combo boxes and all based
> off an existing table. In the past, when I begin typing in this lookup
> field, the program would suggest the correct value as I continue typing. For
> some reason, the program now stops searching after I type two characters and
> leaves me with whatever value it arrived at based on those two characters.
> As I keep typing, I just add random letters to the value the program selected
> based on those two characters. For example, if I was typing the word
> "Microsoft," but "Michael" was the first value in the lookup table, I would
> get something that looks like "MiCROchael." Instead of typing through the
> field, I now have to choose the value from the drop-down menu. Not critical,
> but annoying because it used to work correctly.
>
> Any suggestions???

Thanks Scottgem.
I may be going crazy, but I cannot find where to turn off the AutoExpand
option. I assume it would be under the lookup tab of the table's design view?

"Scottgem" wrote:

> Frankly, using lookup fields is NOT recommended (see
> http://www.mvps.org/access/lookupfields.htm) Lookups should only be done
> using combos and lists on forms.
>
> However, what you can try is to turn off AutoExpand, save the table then
> turn it back on. Or Do a Compact and Repair.
>
> HTH
> Scott<>
> Microsoft Access MVP 2007
>
> emch62 wrote:
> > I am new to Access and relatively self-taught, so forgive me if this question
> > is not well-stated.
> >
> > I have several tables with lookup fields -- all combo boxes and all based
> > off an existing table. In the past, when I begin typing in this lookup
> > field, the program would suggest the correct value as I continue typing. For
> > some reason, the program now stops searching after I type two characters and
> > leaves me with whatever value it arrived at based on those two characters.
> > As I keep typing, I just add random letters to the value the program selected
> > based on those two characters. For example, if I was typing the word
> > "Microsoft," but "Michael" was the first value in the lookup table, I would
> > get something that looks like "MiCROchael." Instead of typing through the
> > field, I now have to choose the value from the drop-down menu. Not critical,
> > but annoying because it used to work correctly.
> >
> > Any suggestions???
>

Nevermind. I answered my own question--it's only a property of forms.

I did the compact and repair and so far it looks promising. Thanks for the
tips.

"emch62" wrote:

> Thanks Scottgem.
> I may be going crazy, but I cannot find where to turn off the AutoExpand
> option. I assume it would be under the lookup tab of the table's design view?
>
> "Scottgem" wrote:
>
> > Frankly, using lookup fields is NOT recommended (see
> > http://www.mvps.org/access/lookupfields.htm) Lookups should only be done
> > using combos and lists on forms.
> >
> > However, what you can try is to turn off AutoExpand, save the table then
> > turn it back on. Or Do a Compact and Repair.
> >
> > HTH
> > Scott<>
> > Microsoft Access MVP 2007
> >
> > emch62 wrote:
> > > I am new to Access and relatively self-taught, so forgive me if this question
> > > is not well-stated.
> > >
> > > I have several tables with lookup fields -- all combo boxes and all based
> > > off an existing table. In the past, when I begin typing in this lookup
> > > field, the program would suggest the correct value as I continue typing. For
> > > some reason, the program now stops searching after I type two characters and
> > > leaves me with whatever value it arrived at based on those two characters.
> > > As I keep typing, I just add random letters to the value the program selected
> > > based on those two characters. For example, if I was typing the word
> > > "Microsoft," but "Michael" was the first value in the lookup table, I would
> > > get something that looks like "MiCROchael." Instead of typing through the
> > > field, I now have to choose the value from the drop-down menu. Not critical,
> > > but annoying because it used to work correctly.
> > >
> > > Any suggestions???
> >