How to edit the field list?

[MCM]

I am fairly new to Access and I have been given the task of adding fields to
an existing form in a database that was created years ago by an unknown
party.

When I click on Datasheet View, there are dozens of columns to the right of
the fields being used, with labels such as Combo86, but none of these show up
in the field list. How can I edit the table that holds the field list so I
can fields to the form?

 

[Dennis]

Before you can add fields to your form, the fields need to be in the
underlying table that is the record source for the form.
Check the record source property for the form and then select Tables, modify
the design of the relevant table and then your new fields will be available
to your form.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

An alternate approach to that suggested by Dennis is to use a query to
retrieve ONLY the fields you want in the form. Add the fields to the table,
create a query to return the desired fields, then make the query the source
for the form.

By the way, although it is possible to add fields to (most) any table in
Access, it isn't always a good idea. Have you taken a look at the
underlying relational model to make sure the fields belong in that table?

If you'll post a description of the tables and their fields and the new
fields you wish to add, folks here could offer more specific suggestions.

--
Regards

Jeff Boyce
www.InformationFutures.net

Microsoft Office/Access MVP


Microsoft IT Academy Program Mentor
http://microsoftitacademy.com/

 

[MCM]

Thank you both for the replies.

I was told that this database was created in another program and imported
into Access. I downloaded a copy of the database to take to my office and
study, and it is read-only. The users of the database know only how to add
new records and view existing data. They want to learn how to edit the
database structure to add more fields. I was able to repair a few minor
issues, but now I feel lost.

There are six tables:

Installs and Installs1 are identical.

Installs2 is empty.

Installs_ImportErrors is empty

Installs_ImportErrors1 refers to a non-existent path

MSysCeCInstalls contains 6 records with various conflicts & a Reason field
that always says "The same record was updated by Pocket Access and the host
database"

MSysCeCInstalls1 refers to a non-existant path

MSysCeConflicts has 5 identical records. The fields are TableName,
ConflictTable Name, and PkName. The TableName is always Installs, the
ConflictTableName is always MSysCeCInstalls, PkName is always ID

MSysCeConflicts1 refers to a non-existent path

There is one form, called Installs

When I click on Relationships, nothing shows up. I believe this is because
they are really only using one table and one form.

Any suggestions?

Margaret