ComboBoxes showing up in report as simple numbers

[PaulHilgeman]

My combo boxes are showing up in a report as just their ID number. The
Combo Box is based on a table with a AutoNumber Key. In the form, you
select the apropriate item from the ComboBox. Then I have a report
that looks more professional and only displays some of the datea, for
mailing etc. However, all of the data that is in ComboBoxes in the
form just shows up as the ID number.

I tried looking around but didnt find anyone with this same problem.
The ControlSource looks like this:

=Forms!Main!Item1Desc

Item1Desc is the combo box on the Main form derived from a table called
LineItems, first column AutoNumber, Second Column ProductName.


Any help would really be apreaciated.

Thanks,
Paul Hilgeman

 

[Ken Snell \(MVP\)]

Sounds like you're using lookup fields in the table....

See http://www.mvps.org/access/lookupfields.htm for info on why not to use
them. They cause exactly the confusion that you're now seeing.

 

[PaulHilgeman]

So,

What is the prefered method if I need the data in the combo boxes to
change?

This is to create a purchase order type page where you select the items
on the purchase order from a drop down.

The items in the list need to be easily editable by management type
forms to manage the items in the list, their prices and costs.

Thats the other problem, they are a varitey of fields associated with
each one that get called up to be placed in the form to fill in price
and pay etc.

THanks!
-Paul

 

[Ken Snell \(MVP\)]

Use a query as the Row Source of the combo box to get the records that you
want to display (this is what ACCESS does under the covers when you make a
field in the table a "lookup" field).

See this article for how you can use the records in the combo box's
RowSource to easily get other data for the form:
http://www.mvps.org/access/forms/frm0058.htm