Can Form Show Only Populated Fields?

[AEWatkins]

I've created a contracts database that allows users to insert a copy of their
contract as an OLE object. Some contracts have up to 10 amendments, so I've
created additional fields for each amendment.

Does anyone know how I can:

1. Have the form show only those fields that are populated? I don't want
all ten amendment fields showing if there's only one amendment.

2. Give users a way to identify the object they're inserting? I'm thinking
some kind of box might be necessary that says "What kind of object do you
want to insert?" Then the user chooses: Contract, Contract Request Form,
First Amendment, Second Amendment, etc. and inserts the form. The problem is
that I don't know how to do this. Or maybe there's a better way?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

AEWatkins
New Jersey

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

Sorry, but your first mistake was in adding 10 additional fields for the
amendments. That's called a "repeating group", and is a violation of
database normalization principles.

Rather than 10 fields for the 10 amendments (and what are you going to do
when there's an 11th amendment?), you should have a second table, linked to
the first one, that has a row for each amendment. You'd display the
amendments in a subform on your original form.

 

[AEWatkins]

Thank you. I knew there was a better way and you smart people would share it
with me!

I'll give it a try, but I'm relatively new at this and may have a few
additional questions.

Sorry, but your first mistake was in adding 10 additional fields for the
amendments. That's called a "repeating group", and is a violation of
database normalization principles.

Rather than 10 fields for the 10 amendments (and what are you going to do
when there's an 11th amendment?), you should have a second table, linked to
the first one, that has a row for each amendment. You'd display the
amendments in a subform on your original form.

I've created a contracts database that allows users to insert a copy of
their

[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]

AEWatkins
New Jersey