Access 2003 : Simple DB Design

[mcnaugg]

As a raw beginner to DB design I have made a number posts to another
Discussion Group asking for advice. Unfortunately the replies have generally
further confused me.
I have used Access in the past to store a number of Family History records
downloaded from various sites. This information was inputted manually via a
Form or via an Excel link. Susequently I could access this info via a query/
report as necessary.

I then tried to make a very basic DB to store a number of items that I
purchased. This consisted of four fields: “Itemâ€, “Costâ€, “Vat†and “Total
Costâ€. Since I didn,t know how to carry out calculations I was advised to
make put the first three fields into a table. Then make a form with these
three fields plus an “Unbound Field†in which to perform the calculation (
Cost * Vat). This I did and I entered a number of records. When scrolling
through the records (via the form) all of the fields could be seen and were
correctly calculated.
However if I now went to the table only the “Item†and “Cost†were
populated. The same happened if I produced a report.
I was then told that I must not store/save data in a table.
So I would be grateful if advice could be given on how to build a simple DB
to store a number of items that were purchased from various stores, input the
“before Vat cost†and then have the form show the actual Vat cost and the
total cost (with Vat). I would then like to be able to print a report
showing the items and related costs. Once I have cracked this then I can
proceed to build in Queries etc. and further expand the DB.

 

[Klatuu]

You are on the right track.
You able should have fields for item, cost, and vat, but not total cost.
Each of the fields in the table should have a control on your form bound to
them, including vat. The only thing you don't want to save is total cost
because it is a calculated value. It can be displayed as you are doing now
in an unbound control.

 

[mcnaugg]

Hi Dave

Thanks

Gareth

You are on the right track.
You able should have fields for item, cost, and vat, but not total cost.
Each of the fields in the table should have a control on your form bound to
them, including vat. The only thing you don't want to save is total cost
because it is a calculated value. It can be displayed as you are doing now
in an unbound control.