Combine same fields into one table?

[TKM]

I have several of the same fields in two seperate tables: Shipping and
Receiving.

When a shipment goes out it has a RMA, PO# and a Serial# etc. These fields
are redundant in both tables. Is thier a way I can use these fields only once
while tracking the shipment?

 

[mscertified]

Sure, just have a shipment table with all those common columns in it and a
primary key of ShipmentID. In your other tables refer to these details via
the ShipmentID foreign key.

-Dorian

 

[TKM]

Please explain. You are telling me something I can do or already have though
of. However just saying "in your other tables refer to these details via
shipmnt ID foreing key". You are missing a hugh step! Like shipping or
receiving details table or?????

 

[T.Kay]

Review "Relationships" in your Database.

But it looks as though you're tracking two separate things.

1. Shipments with RMA, PO# & Serial #
and
2. Receivables with RMA, PO# & Serial #

If neither of these two tables have any relation to one another then there
has to be separate fields for each.

Shipments_RMA, Shipments_PO, etc, etc,
Receivable_RMA, Receivable_PO, etc, etc,

If you're starting out in design, read "Database Design for Mere Mortals"
it helped me a lot.

T