Data Loading

[Martino165]

I am attempting make a user-friendly data loader for my DB. I was
hopin to get some insight on the best way to go about this.

I can break down the tables into 4 groups (for ease of explantation we
can call them: Teacher-, Student-, Class-, and Activity-Related
tables). The groups have mutliple related tables with specific lookup
values for various fields. I want the loader to be a flat file
spreadsheet, in which the tables are updated without losing relational
capabilities. The problem is that the users will not know what ID# for
a specific teacher or class, just the actual name.

I am thinking I will have to create holding tables that then check for
errors and subsequently updates the proper fields.

I don't want to go on forever so if more explanation is needed please
let me know,
Thanks for any help

 

[OfficeDev18 via AccessMonster.com]

I'm not sure what you mean, but it seems to me your problem is the
possibility of data entry errors. I would suggest you normalize your data and
use Primary Keys and Foreign Keys liberally. For data entry, use combo boxes,
with column 2 of the combo box hidden but loaded with the PK (or FK) of the
actual literal in column 1. Using combo boxes also virtually eliminates user
entry errors.

Hope this helps,

Sam