Can I set up cascading combo boxes in a TABLE?

[Debi]

I am setting up a database for a research project. I would like to enter the
data within the table as it is easier to see everything together.

I have a combo box for General Injury Region, which is upper extremity,
lower extremity, spine. I would like to the second combo box populate based
on the first with shoulder, hand, wrist, etc.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rick Brandt]

I am setting up a database for a research project. I would like to enter
the data within the table as it is easier to see everything together.

I have a combo box for General Injury Region, which is upper extremity,
lower extremity, spine. I would like to the second combo box populate
based on the first with shoulder, hand, wrist, etc.

Thanks in advance!

No, Use a form.

 

[Philip Herlihy]

Warning: your first paragraph makes it sound as if you're thinking in
spreadsheet idiom. Databases are different, and in many ways much more
powerful. The key is understanding how to structure your data, and it's
vital to get that right first. Here are a few links to get you started:

Free samples from Lynda.com on table design:
http://www.lynda.com/home/Player.aspx?lpk4=31001 (A2007)
http://www.lynda.com/home/Player.aspx?lpk4=13150 (A2003)

Microsoft tutorial on table design:
http://bit.ly/ms-access-tables-tutorial

You can also find video tutorials on many Access topics (e.g. Combo Box) by
Googling.

Back to the question!. Don't be tempted to use "Lookup Fields" in tables -
there are lots of reasons why experienced Access users never use these. The
typical scenario is to divide your data between a number of tables which
represent distinct "entities" in the world you are modelling. These
entities will be related (e.g. one-to-many, many-to-many) and a record in
one table may include a reference (a "foreign key") to a record in another
to represent these relationships. When data needs to be extracted
selectively or in a particular sort order, queries are used to draw together
related records. Forms (or reports) can be based on these queries. It's
common to have several forms based on the same data tables to support
different uses of the data.

Once you have a suitable query on which to base a form, try using the Form
Wizard. In Access 2007 it's particularly easy - highlight the query which
will form the "Record Source" of your new form, and, in the Create tab,
simply click the Form button (left-most in its group). Bingo - a basic form
for your data. To change one of the text boxes (default) into a combo box,
simply right-click it and pick "Change to..." and pick combo box. You'll
then adjust the combo box's properties appropriately (always Row Source, and
often Number of Columns and Column Widths). It's surprisingly quick and
easy after the first time.

Finally, this article deals with the particular issue you ask about:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/access/HA011730581033.aspx?pid=CL100570041033

HTH

Phil, London

 

[Philip Herlihy]

Here's a neat video I found on this!

Phil

 

[Philip Herlihy]

I've learned not to ignore anything you say, but I don't get that. To fail
3NF, one table would have to have a field whose value was not tied to the
key - can't see it! In the State table, the key is the (only) value - but I
don't think that makes a difference?

One of the benefits of offering answers here is that you get corrected from
time to time!

Phil

Apart from the fact that his table is not normalized to Third Normal Form!

Ken Sheridan
Stafford, England

Here's a neat video I found on this!

Phil

Warning: your first paragraph makes it sound as if you're thinking in
spreadsheet idiom. Databases are different, and in many ways much more

[quoted text clipped - 51 lines]

Thanks in advance!