cherry pick rows from linked table

M

mcourter

i need to be able to let users hand select rows from a linked table.
i had been letting them import the table then i append a yes/no field
that i update as they click on the field.
can i create a query that adds an updateable yes/no field to the linked
table.
 
R

Rick B

Sure - as long as you have that field in your table. Just add the field to
your table, then include it in your query.

Personally, I create forms for my users, I don't let them work in a query.
It's not a very user-friendly object and you have less control over what
they can do there.
 
M

mcourter

i didn't explain very well i quess.

the linked table will typically be a spreadsheet.
it will not contain a boolean yes/no field or if it does it can't be
used as i need to.

i need to add a temp boolean field to allow for selecting which records
will be used to for printing labels.

so i want to know if a temp field could be created and appended to the
linked table via query.
i am using a form for selection so i was thinking the query would
become the form's data source.
 
M

mscertified

You can only update the design of a linked table in the back-end database.
Why not just save the primary keys of the selected rows in a temporary
table. Then you can retrieve all the data by a join of your temporary table
with the linked table.

-Dorian
 
M

mcourter

how would i know if there are any primary keys?
the idea is to let users link whatever they have and print labels.
i can trust that their data will be columnar, but they will have no use
for a primary key in a spreadsheet. some may include a unique
identifier and some may not.
in any event, i will not be around to help them in any way so they are
on their own to make it work. that's why i need some way to add the
field i need to work with.

looks like they'll have to import and forget about linking.
 
J

John Vinson

i didn't explain very well i quess.

the linked table will typically be a spreadsheet.
it will not contain a boolean yes/no field or if it does it can't be
used as i need to.

i need to add a temp boolean field to allow for selecting which records
will be used to for printing labels.

so i want to know if a temp field could be created and appended to the
linked table via query.
i am using a form for selection so i was thinking the query would
become the form's data source.
Click to expand...

This can be done using a one-to-one relationship to a local table -
but ONLY if you have a unique Primary Key in the linked table (which a
spreadsheet won't have). Otherwise the query won't be updateable.

Import would seem to be your best bet.

John W. Vinson[MVP]
 
M

mcourter

very nice.
i think i can use that, but will need to make some changes.
the app's actions are triggered from the selection form so i need a way
to retain what was selected.
can do.
thanks much.
 
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