Forms entering unique ID instead of name, how to switch?

[Guest]

Hello! When a user enteres information on the form and submits it, the
database shows the unique ID number of the (for example) doctors name that
was selected instead of the name itself. Why is this, and is there anyway to
switch this around so when they select the doctor (from a dropdown), it
actually inputs the doctors name instead of that ID number?

Thanks!

 

[John Vinson]

Hello! When a user enteres information on the form and submits it, the
database shows the unique ID number of the (for example) doctors name that
was selected instead of the name itself. Why is this, and is there anyway to
switch this around so when they select the doctor (from a dropdown), it
actually inputs the doctors name instead of that ID number?

It's doing that because that's the CORRECT WAY TO DO IT.

With a relational database, you store variable information - such as
names - once, and once only (in the Doctors table for example). If you
need information about a doctor in another table, you store the
numeric DoctorID. If the doctor's name is changed (perhaps she got
married), you can now change it once, and have the correct name
displayed wherever you have a DoctorID stored.

If you're assuming that table datasheets should display all the
information in a human-readable way - lose that assumption. Tables are
for data STORAGE, not for editing or data display - that's the
function of Forms. And your form (with combo boxes) is evidently doing
its job correctly!

John W. Vinson[MVP]