mdstalla
asked on
MS Access 2013 Multiple Forms Relating to Same Record
I am using MS Access 2013 in an attempt to create a Form-driven database.
Suppose I have 2 forms-- I enter data into several Text Box's in Form One, then, using a Control Button ('Next') I open Form 2 and continue entering data into that form's Text Boxes. The idea here is to have a string of Forms from which I can enter data, and that data is saved to the same record in a Table.
The problem I am facing is that data entered into Form One is placed in Record 1 on my Table, while data entered into Form Two is placed in the next Record (Record 2).
Question: How can I create a string of Forms, but have the data inputted into each of those Forms show up on the same Record in the same Table?
*Note: I do not want advice that starts with the phrase "Why are you doing it that way..." Let's just assume that there is a reason my program has to work this way. If you can help me out with this problem-- without deviating from scenario presented; it would be MUCH appreciated.
Suppose I have 2 forms-- I enter data into several Text Box's in Form One, then, using a Control Button ('Next') I open Form 2 and continue entering data into that form's Text Boxes. The idea here is to have a string of Forms from which I can enter data, and that data is saved to the same record in a Table.
The problem I am facing is that data entered into Form One is placed in Record 1 on my Table, while data entered into Form Two is placed in the next Record (Record 2).
Question: How can I create a string of Forms, but have the data inputted into each of those Forms show up on the same Record in the same Table?
*Note: I do not want advice that starts with the phrase "Why are you doing it that way..." Let's just assume that there is a reason my program has to work this way. If you can help me out with this problem-- without deviating from scenario presented; it would be MUCH appreciated.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
One way:
First form to create the record filling the relevant fields.
Form 2 updates the same record, populating the next group of fields in the record.
And so on.
First form to create the record filling the relevant fields.
Form 2 updates the same record, populating the next group of fields in the record.
And so on.
<<First form to create the record filling the relevant fields.
Form 2 updates the same record, populating the next group of fields in the record.
And so on. >>
Yeah that will work, but only if he can live with saving the record between each form.
Jim.
Form 2 updates the same record, populating the next group of fields in the record.
And so on. >>
Yeah that will work, but only if he can live with saving the record between each form.
Jim.
"but only if he can live with saving the record between each form."
That depends on the design of the application. Usually there is a next and previous buttons to guarantee the completion of the record. Last step is finish which flags record as accepted, otherwise a cleanup of unfinished record, if cancel is issued.
That depends on the design of the application. Usually there is a next and previous buttons to guarantee the completion of the record. Last step is finish which flags record as accepted, otherwise a cleanup of unfinished record, if cancel is issued.
If they really want to stick with a bound approach, then the best setup would be to bind the forms to a temp table and copy the record into the main table when finished.
From a design point I would not rely on cleaning up an un-finished record if something stopped the add operation when bound directly to the main tables,
Too many things to go wrong and then you have a record saved which could cause all kinds of problems.
Needs to either go un-bound and avoid saving the record at all, using a single form with a tab control, or go with a series of bound forms against a temp table and copy the finished record when done.
Jim.
From a design point I would not rely on cleaning up an un-finished record if something stopped the add operation when bound directly to the main tables,
Too many things to go wrong and then you have a record saved which could cause all kinds of problems.
Needs to either go un-bound and avoid saving the record at all, using a single form with a tab control, or go with a series of bound forms against a temp table and copy the finished record when done.
Jim.
No points please, I prefer to use the temp table mentioned by Jim, especially if the multiple form method is required.
Personally, for a multi-step process like what is defined above, I prefer to go with a tabbed form (tabs hidden) and Next/Back buttons, all bound to that temp table. That way, changes don't have to be saved between each step (all one form) and if the user doesn't complete the process, the record is never written to the main database table.
Personally, for a multi-step process like what is defined above, I prefer to go with a tabbed form (tabs hidden) and Next/Back buttons, all bound to that temp table. That way, changes don't have to be saved between each step (all one form) and if the user doesn't complete the process, the record is never written to the main database table.
A main form with a tab control. In this way, you could do a wizard type approach where you take the user from tab to tab, hiding the other tabs so all they see is a single tab at a time.
This would let you continue to use bound forms and controls.
If having seperate forms is a requirement though, then it will have to be the un-bound approach. There simply is no way to work with the same record across multiple forms.
Jim.