Auto-lookup feature?

L

LurfysMa

I want to create several database apps. Some of these will contain
fairly long lists of information that I will want to add to from time
to time. I would like to create a form or other UI mechanism as a
front end to the actual database that would allow me to start typing
in a field and have the database position itself at the closest match
so that I can see if it already exists. If it does, I would then see
the relevant data. If not, I could add it.

For example, if I had a list of books, I could start typing "T-O-M-
-S-A-..." and it would find "Tom Sawyer" if it exists or the closest
thing that starts with those letters.

Please tell me what to read up on or where to look for hints.

Thanks
 
L

LurfysMa

Use ComBox with properties of Autoexpand - Yes and Limit to List - No.
Click to expand...

I added a combo box to a form using the combo box wizard. I wasn't
sure what to choose on the first wizard question when it asked me how
I want the combo box to get its values. I didn't think the middle
choice (type in values) seemed useful, but I couldn't figure out the
difference between the first and third, so I tried it both ways. I
also added several text boxes to the form by dragging the fields from
the table list. I would like these fields to automatically reflect the
values matching the record selected by the combo box.

Trial #1 -- Combo box with "Look up values" option"

a. I selected the first option (look up values) and clicked Next.

b. I selected the only table (tblMovies) and clicked Next.

c. I selected one field (Title) from the table and clicked Next. I did
NOT select the primary key field (MovieID, autonum).

d. I adjusted the column width. I noticed the check box about hiding
the key column. Curious, since I did NOT select the primary key field,
I clicked on Back and discovered that the primary key field had been
added. I left it there and clicked Next (twice).

e. Now it asks me if I want to "Remember the value for later" or
"Store it in the database". I couldn't find anyplace that explained
this choice, so I chose "Remember for later" and clicked Next.

f. I entered a title and clicked Finish.

Are these the right options?

Now, I opened up the properties panel and see that Limit to List is
set to Yes. When I try to set it to "No", I get an error message that
the columnwidths are wrong. The columnwidths property says 0";1". I am
guessing that this is related to the primary key field getting added.

Do I delete the primary key field? Change the width to soemting other
than 0"? What?

Trial #2: Find a record...

I added aother combo box, but this time I selected option #3, Find a
record on my form based on the value I selected in my combo box. I
used the same options as above as far as they applied.

This seemed to work better. If I enter a few characters, it does find
matching records in the database provided that there are matches. If
not, I get an error message.

I then opened the properties panel and tried to set Limit to List to
No and got the same error message. I tried setting the columnwidth
property to 1";1", but then the combo box takes what I enter as the
primary key value (autonum), which does not work at all.

I'm stuck. Where am I going wrong?

Thanks
 
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