connection between tables and forms

[Austin]

Hi,

New user here. I need to set up separate databases for customers/ suppliers
etc and I understand that I do this in contact management database template
and set the DB's up as forms. What I am not sure about is how to add fields
to each of these forms, do I have to set up a new table for each form as if I
use the same table for changing fields the changes apply to all forms which I
don't want. If I do have to set up a new table for each form, how do I link
it to the specifc table I need to add fields to? All help gratefully received.
Thanks

 

[Philip Herlihy]

Hi,

New user here. I need to set up separate databases for customers/ suppliers
etc and I understand that I do this in contact management database template
and set the DB's up as forms. What I am not sure about is how to add fields
to each of these forms, do I have to set up a new table for each form as if I
use the same table for changing fields the changes apply to all forms which I
don't want. If I do have to set up a new table for each form, how do I link
it to the specifc table I need to add fields to? All help gratefully received.
Thanks

That's the right question, asked at the right time. It can be quite a
challenge for a new user, making sense of one of the templates!

There's a fairly constant way of approaching a new project. First (and
absolutely the most important) you have to get your storage and tables
right. That's a subject in itself: see:
http://tinyurl.com/ms-table-design-tutorial and
http://www.lynda.com/home/Player.aspx?lpk4=31001
... or look for articles/videos on "normalisation". Get that right, and
the rest is about 200% easier.

Then you build queries on top of your tables, to draw together whatever
information you need at that time.

Those queries can be the "Record Source" of either Forms or Reports.

If you practice with simple situations first, and use Wizards/Builders
wherever you can, you can make quite rapid progress with what can be a
steep learning curve. Try it - working always with an expendable copy,
start with a single table, create a query to pick out some fields (later
you'll pick fields from multiple "related" tables). Then create a new
Form using the wizard, and pick your new query as the source of data.
Then just fool around. The wizard will give quite a few options, and
when you get one you like, you can modify it in design view, adding
fields - provided that the underlying query supplies them.

There's no substitute for training, though. I like the video training
from Lynda.com (no connection). Takes time - make sure those around you
don't expect instant results.

Phil, London