Is This Possible With Forms

[Wendy L]

Windows XP
Office XP

I have something I wish to do within an Access database and I am not sure if
it is possible. One of the queries I have developed matches a farmer to his
farm number. The query will list the farmer's name, address, ssn, farm,
tract, and the corresponding aerial map on which his farm can be found. Each
farm may have more than one tract, and each farmer may have more than one
farm, in which case there will be multiple rows of data for a farmer or
tract in the query results. What I want to do is when a user opens the
database, the user can manually type in a last name or a farm number or a
tract, and the data can be delivered to him in a manner which doesn't force
the user to filter through the query for the results that he/she is seeking.
Since I am just learning Access, I do not know if this something that can
realistically be done. At this point, I have only used the table and queries
to manipulate and combine my data. If anyone knows of a sample database from
which I can learn that performs functions similar to what I have outlined, I
would appreciate a link or file.

Thanks,
Wendy

 

[Wendy L]

I should add that the database in which I am working can contain as many as
10,000 records, so drop down listboxes are not a particularly efficient
method for narrowing results.

 

[Jim/Chris]

Yes it can be done. one way would be to have atleast three
tables
FarmerInfo
FarmInfo
TractInfo

The FarmerId in the FarmerInfo table would be linked to the
FarmerId in the FarmInfo table and the FarmId would be
linked to the FarmId in the TractInfo table. This is what
Access was designed for. It you want to see examples of
this table structure go to the Sample Northwind database
that came with you Access application

Jim

 

[Wendy L]

I have my queries and tables all set up already. I just don't want my users
to have to open the queries and filter through them if they are simply
looking for a specific farm number or farmer. I have looked at the
northwinds sample database many times and it doesn't do what i am asking.
When a user opens the database i want a splash screen to pop up that allows
them to either enter a farm number, tract number or last name and then I
want the information returned to them according to the data they entered.
Basically, I want this splash screen to act as a search engine for the query
that is already developed.

 

[Hugh Horton]

I don't have any large tables (10,000 records) to test
it, but using combo box, as the user types letters the
search is progressively narrowed. IE. type "B" and the
focus moves to the beginning of the 'B's, type "R" and
the focus moves to the "BR"s and so on. By the time the
user types "Brown" the listing should be sufficiently
narrowed.

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

Here is some screen shots of some ideas on searching....

http://www.attcanada.net/~kallal.msn/Search/index.html

I don't have a download yet..but to make what you want...you will need to
write some code....

However, before you write some code..have your tried filter by form? (This
is built in searching ability in ms-access).