Need Help with adding multiple records to 1 table

[Guest]

I am running Access 2k.
i am trying to create a form that accepts data for up to 25 presses (could
have anywhere from 1 to 3 sheets per press). each sheet has 22 items that
are pulled from it. after originally setting up the form to work with 1
sheet at a time, the users want the form set up to allow them to enter in
some of the data, such as part number and press number, for all the presses,
and then towards the end of their shift, enter in the final bits of data
(such as parts ran and defects) for each sheet, then i would like to have one
command button to enter all the data in. currently the table that the data
goes into has an ID field set as an autonumber for the pk. i have already
tried setting up the form and duplicating all the fields (kinda looks like
viewing a data sheet) but the data was duplicated throughout all the fields.
also tried to set up several subforms, but that didn't work either (none of
the data was saved to the table.

Thinking about using the DAO setup that i had seen in another post, but not
sure how to get it to work with the ID field.

any help would be appreciated.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to do.

Are you saying that you want to have multiple records left open for an
entire shift? This would expose your database to risk of corruption from
network hiccups, power glitches, someone shutting down their PC without
logging out of the application (or kicking out their power cord), etc.

I don't understand "sheets" -- are you referring to a spreadsheet, or to
sheets of paper?

If users "start" a record (and save their initial info), then an alternative
to holding that record open all shift would be to make it easy to find/bring
up that record for final data entry at the end of the shift.

Or am I just not clear on what you're trying to do?

Jeff Boyce
<Access MVP>

 

[Guest]

I don't understand "sheets" -- are you referring to a spreadsheet, or to

sheets of paper?

Sheets of Paper.

If users "start" a record (and save their initial info), then an alternative
to holding that record open all shift would be to make it easy to find/bring
up that record for final data entry at the end of the shift.

I am planning on setting this part up. but initially they want to be able
to enter in certain data throughout the shift. as there is usually only 1 to
2 people entering data at a time, data corruption should not be much of a
problem. Does leaving the form open lock the table the form is attached to?
or does it only lock the records that are started? if the latter, then
leaving the form open should not be a problem.

I am also looking at doing a DAO recordset setup, but am having problems
with setting up the arrays to save the data. any ideas on this part would be
great also.

 

[Guest]

Use DAO. Works well for me. The only problem could be someone pulling the
plug, or the like.

Setup an unbound form with unbound fields in it etc. for the DAO. I also
suggest that you put a "Save Records" button on the screen to allow the
operators to save from time to time. The data entries will stay on the form
when the data is saved so the operators can see the entries. Add another
button to clear the entries for the next shift.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

Leaving an unsaved record exposes the database to corruption, period, no
matter how many folks are connected.

When you open a record, depending on how you "lock" it, the database can
lock the entire table, the data page on which the record is recorded (other
records could be affected), or the single record, or perhaps none at all.

To avoid holding a record open, you could consider using an unbound form and
letting the folks do their data entry throughout the day/shift. When
they're done, clicking <Save> would create a new record (you'd need to write
the code that pushes the data in the form to the record/table).

Good luck!

Jeff Boyce
<Access MVP>