Re: Controlling Data Formatting
- From: John Nurick <j.mapSoN.nurick@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2005 20:45:02 +0100
Hi Robert,
A date field can only store a date (to be precise, a number that
represents a point in time) or a special value called Null (which
usually represents an unknown value).
One way around the problem is to use a special date that would not
otherwise be encountered (such as 1/1/1900) to mean "this person does
not need this training item".
But the fact that you've hit this snag means that your database
structure doesn't fit the real-world situation you are modelling.
Getting the structure right is the most important single thing in
databases. Here, it sounds as if you have something like this:
Persons
Training items
For each person,
Training items the person is required to take
Training items that the person has actually taken
One way of modelling this would be with three tables:
tblPersons
PersonID (e.g. a serial number or other unique identifier)
Name
other stuff
tblTrainingItems
TrainingItemID
Name
Description
other stuff
tblPersonsTrainingItems
PersonID
TrainingItemID
Required (Yes/No)
DateCompleted
other stuff, maybe
In this structure, a record in tblPersonsTrainingItems like this:
XXX, YYY, Yes, 04/04/2005
mean that Person XXX completed required Training Item YYY on 4 April;
XXX, YYY, Yes, Null
would mean that Person XXX requires Training Item YYY but has not
completed it; and
XXX, YYY, No, 04/04/2005
would mean that Person XXX didn't require item YYY but completed it
anyway.
On 22 Apr 2005 08:39:19 -0700, "Robert" <wukichra@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>Good Morning Everyone
>
>A bit of background first:
>
>I created this database so that I can not only track personnel and
>training, also force users to utilize a standard data entry method.
>Prior to this implementation we would have 5 seperate date forms, three
>ways of indicating not applicable, etc.
>
>What I need to figure out now is a way to override some of these
>settings. For example: I add a new person to my database, that person
>does not require certain training items. My training items are set as
>medium dates because if they do not have the training it would
>naturally be blank and easily locatable. I have some personnel that do
>not need to do the training. Therefore since they would not have the
>date entered they would be listed as not having done it. I need to
>figure out how to make this read Not applicable or somthing similar.
>
>I hope this made sense! I will clarify as needed.
>
>Thanks again, as always
>
>Robert A. Wukich, Sr
>Sgt/USMC
--
John Nurick [Microsoft Access MVP]
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- Controlling Data Formatting
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- Controlling Data Formatting
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