How to get a field ( datasheet view) to autocomplete (like Excel)

[SamJ]

If you enter the same text string in different cells in a column in an
Excel spreadsheet, Excel starts to autocomplete as you start typing
based on words it reconises you have previously entered.

Is it possible to set up a datasheet to work the same way?

The text being entered here is has unlimited variables and so is not
something that can be added to a combo box, also it is not related to
data in another table, so no lookup is possible.

Thanks.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

Repeat after me ... "Access is not a spreadsheet". Repeat 100 times.

An Access "datasheet" view may look a bit like a spreadsheet, but it isn't
one.

You've described a "how", as in how you are trying to solve some situation
.... but not described the situation.

If you'll post back a more specific description of what having this
capability would allow you to (eventually) do (not, "it would let me get a
list of consecutive numbers/values"), the folks here in the newsgroup may be
able to offer more specific suggestions.

--
Regards

Jeff Boyce
www.InformationFutures.net

Microsoft Office/Access MVP


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

 

[SamJ]

If you'll post back a more specific description of what having this
capability would allow you to (eventually) do

Users are typing in names of people in a particular field. Some names
will crop up often, some will only appear once. The list of possibles is
too long to set up a combo box and in any case new variables for that
field will appear regularly

Having a function like the one I described will save time entering data,
thats what will be achieved. If you are famliar with the function I
refer to Excel, you'll know what I mean.

S.

 

[fredg]

Users are typing in names of people in a particular field. Some names
will crop up often, some will only appear once. The list of possibles is
too long to set up a combo box and in any case new variables for that
field will appear regularly

Having a function like the one I described will save time entering data,
thats what will be achieved. If you are famliar with the function I
refer to Excel, you'll know what I mean.

S.

A Combo Box can handle over 65000 records. Do you really have more
than 65000 DISTINCT names to call up? Also, even if you did have more
than 65000, I believe Alan Brown has a work-around.
http://allenbrowne.com/ser-32.html

 

[SamJ]

A Combo Box can handle over 65000 records. Do you really have more
than 65000 DISTINCT names to call up?

No, that's not the point. I cannot predict in advance what the names
will be, neither can the users, so the combo box cannot be written in
advance.

If every day I am getting calls to add new names to the combo box,
things will get tedious quick.

 

[Beetle]

You can use the combo boxes Not In List event to allow your users to
add new names on the fly. There is no reason they should have to
call you and have you add a new name. You will find plenty of info
about programming the Not In List event if you search this forum, do
a google search, etc. If you need additional help after that you can post
back.

 

[John W. Vinson]

No, that's not the point. I cannot predict in advance what the names
will be, neither can the users, so the combo box cannot be written in
advance.

If every day I am getting calls to add new names to the combo box,
things will get tedious quick.

There are two ways to create a combo: a "List of Values" in which you have to
open the form in design view to change the list; and the *much more common*
Query/Table rowsource. It sounds like you're using the former more limited
one!

If you base your combo on a query selecting the names from your actual table,
then new names will be added to the combo the moment they are typed. No
programming or effort on your part is needed.

 

[SamJ]

There are two ways to create a combo: a "List of Values" in which you have to
open the form in design view to change the list; and the *much more common*
Query/Table rowsource. It sounds like you're using the former more limited
one!

If you base your combo on a query selecting the names from your actual table,
then new names will be added to the combo the moment they are typed. No
programming or effort on your part is needed.

Thanks