Creating a subform in Access

[Guest]

I need to create a communications log for each client in our database. 1)
Would a possible solution be to create a subform? If so, how do I
automatically populate this form with data from the main form such as mailing
address, phone number, etc. 2) can I instigate actions from within the
subform such as send a word document and if so, can I create a drop down menu
of templates and/or forms to use? 3) Can I create a follow-up or tickle file
based on the actions that I instigate from withint the subform?

 

[John Vinson]

I need to create a communications log for each client in our database. 1)
Would a possible solution be to create a subform?

Well... you can USE a subform. But forms are *just tools*, windows to
update and edit data; the clients and the log file must be stored in
Tables. Build the tables FIRST, and then worry about the forms to
update them.

If so, how do I
automatically populate this form with data from the main form such as mailing
address, phone number, etc.

You don't.

Relational databases use the "Grandmother's Pantry Principle": "A
place - ONE place! - for everything, everything in its place". The
main form should be based on the Client table, and that table should
have fields for this information; the child table should have the
unique ClientID as a link to the main table, and it will be filled in
using the Subform's Master/Child Link Field properties. If you wish to
see client data in conjunction with log data, say in a Report, you can
use a Query linking the two tables.

2) can I instigate actions from within the
subform such as send a word document and if so, can I create a drop down menu
of templates and/or forms to use?

Yes, if you can write VBA code to do these things (and the answer is
you can, with a bit of digging into the help files and getting help
from others).

3) Can I create a follow-up or tickle file
based on the actions that I instigate from withint the subform?

Since I have no idea what sort of "actions" you're talking about, all
I can say is "I expect you can, depending".

John W. Vinson[MVP]