options group can only select one option?

[Repent]

Hello all;

On a form I'm creating I have several categories, 13 in all. Each
category has anywhere from 5 options available to 15 options
available.

I think I'd like to have all categories listed with their options
underneath, all on one form. I notice that using the options group
won't let you select more than one option, that is, the radio buttons
toggle. In my case, there can be more than one right answer. I like
the look of the option group and would like to do something similiar.
Do I have to use the "checkbox" control option or can the option group
control be made to accept more than one answer?

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

The standard Windows paradigm is radio buttons are single-select, check
boxes are multi-select. Even if you could have multi-select radio buttons in
a group (and I don't believe you can), you'd be doing your users a
misservice.

 

[Beetle]

What is the structure of your tables?

You should have a Categories table and an Options table related
either 1-to-many or many-to-many. If it is m:m then you should
also have a junction table to define the relationship.

You should then have a form/subform where the main form is based
on the Categories table and the subform is based on either the Options
table or the junction table depending on the nature of the relationship.

That way, for any given Category you can select as many, or as few
options as you need. In the future, if you need to add another Option
you just add a new record to the Options table. The way you are
attempting to do it now, if you add another Option in the future, you
will have to redesign any of the objects (queries, forms, reports) that
are based on that table.

_________

Sean Bailey

 

[Repent]

Currently I have a table setup whereby the categories and options are
all together. The options are pretty much different for each
category. I can create two seperate tables and their relationships as
you mentioned.

As far as the form/subform option, I'll take a look at that as well. I
know the user group would really like to see all the categories and
options all on one form, laid out somewhat like option boxes

 

[Repent]

something else I have to consider is that there are probably 60
options or so and about 12 categories.
most options are only applicable to one category. I would need to
only present the available options for each category selected, not all
60.

How would I setup what you describe and only show options available to
each category for the user to pick?

chris

 

[John W. Vinson]

something else I have to consider is that there are probably 60
options or so and about 12 categories.
most options are only applicable to one category. I would need to
only present the available options for each category selected, not all
60.

How would I setup what you describe and only show options available to
each category for the user to pick?

This is a classic many to many relationship: each option has one or more
categories; each category has one or more options. The proper structure has
three tables: Options (a 60 row table, currently), Categories (12 rows), and
OptionCategories, with fields OptionID and CategoryID. You could use a
conditional combo box on a subform as suggested elsethread.

 

[Repent]

Don't believe I want to go the subform route. Would rather have list
boxes. Even having 13 list boxes on the same form wouldn't be bad.
the users current paper form has all the categories listed seperately
and underneath each category are the options. This way the users can
see all options at the same time.

How could I do this?

 

[Repent]

John;

are you referring to the thread by Beetle? Seems like I got 3 answers
that are all different.

 

[Repent]

John;

if I do it this way, won't I have all 60 options to have to wade
through on each drop down?

 

[John W. Vinson]

John;

if I do it this way, won't I have all 60 options to have to wade
through on each drop down?

No. YOu can use conditional combo boxes, based on a query using the selected
category as a criterion.