Re: converting look-up fields

Kim,

The tables in a database are to store data and to maintain the data's
integrity. They do not exist to display or directly enter data directly.
Anything that was done to make display or data entry into the tables easier
is patently wrong. Please see:

http://www.mvps.org/access/tencommandments.htm

and look at the first and second commandments. The second commandment has a
link to the evils of lookup fields:

http://www.mvps.org/access/lookupfields.htm

Rest assured that your data is safe and sound when using proper keys instead
of text. A query will allow you to link the actual value.

Relational databases are (or should be) mathematically efficient. Storing a
4 byte key is much more efficient that storing 20 to 30 bytes of data.

As an added benefit, by storing the key you only need to change the data in
1 place instead of repeatedly. Think about this: Suppose you had names in
your database for a man named Smith and a man named Smyth. Now you need to
add a new one and mistakenly enter "Smyth" instead of "Smith". How would you
fix it? No query would work because of the properly named Smythes. You'd
have to check each place the name occurred and fix it. With a properly
designed relational table, you'd fix the 1 wrong entry.
--
Arvin Meyer, MCP, MVP
http://www.datastrat.com
http://www.mvps.org/access
http://www.accessmvp.com


"KimC" <KimC@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:3FABCE1C-8C90-4E1A-90B5-C36B4BEB00E5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Is there any way to preserve the value associated with the foreign key, or
do
I have to enter all the data again into the new Text Box?

"Rick Brandt" wrote:

KimC wrote:
I have a database with a lookup field I created with the Wizard. Now
I want to get rid of the lookup key value that is stored and instead
store the actual value. Is that possible?

In design view of the table, select that field then go to the bottom of
the
grid and you should see two tabs "General" and "Lookup". Go to the Lookup
tab and change the Display Control to "Text Box".

--
Rick Brandt, Microsoft Access MVP
Email (as appropriate) to...
RBrandt at Hunter dot com





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