How to create a running total on a table

[Stephanie]

Hi:

I have a question on how to set up running total field in a table. More
specifically, i have a "Bank" master table and I want the "Balance to date"
field on this table to be automatically updated whenever there is a new entry
at the "deposit cash" transaction table. (i.e. I want the "balance to date"
field to be a running total of all the cash deposits in the "deposit cash"
table)

Thanks
Stephanie

 

[Jeff Boyce]

Stephanie

That sounds like something you could easily do ... in a spreadsheet!

It's rarely necessary (or appropriate) to store such a 'calculated value' in
a relational database table.

Instead, a query can quite easily calculate that 'running total', and has
the added advantage of being completely current.

If you record a 'running total' in your table, then have to correct an error
in one of the components of that total, you will also have to recalculate
and re-record the running total to keep them synchronized.

Good luck!

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP