Selection from Combo box

[Guest]

I have populated a combo box recordsource with a query, based upon another
text box. I can clearly see that the combo box works, but how do I select
what is in the box. I can pull down the box, but cannot select any of the
records? Why is this? I know this must be something completely simple and
dumb, but I have no clue.

 

[Wayne Morgan]

Have you set the Bound Column and Control Source for the combo box? If so,
do the data types of these two match? Is the Control Source a calculated
field in a query? Is the form updatable (i.e. can you change data in other
bound fields in the form)?

 

[Guest]

Here is my real question...If I am able to select something from the combo
box, then I am essentially editing, modifying the table with whatever I
select? I don't want to do that. I want to be able to select a record, and
use it as a look up to query other records based on the selection in the
combo box. But if everytime I select something, and it changes, then the
original data is never the same. Is it possible to select anything in a
table, and not change or edit, while be able to select records? As far as I
can tell, Access doesn't allow any selecting without allowing edits. Thanks.

 

[Wayne Morgan]

If you make the combo box unbound, it won't change anything in the form's
table. An unbound control is one without the Control Source filled in. The
Row Source supplies the items for the drop down list that you select from.
This will still be there. You can then take the value that you select and
use it to do a search if that is what you want to do. Just be aware, that if
the combo box isn't bound, then it will NEVER save data to the form's table.

If you want to make a change just to look at it, then cancel the change so
that it doesn't get saved, use the Esc key. Pressing it once undoes changes
to the current control, pressing it a second time undoes all changes to the
current record.

For an example of using a combo box to find records, see this link.

http://www.mvps.org/access/forms/frm0005.htm