ACC2000: How to Use the Column Property of a Combo Box to Update a Text Box (209738)

MORE INFORMATION

To accomplish the tasks mentioned in the "Summary" section, use one of these techniques:

• Method 1: Use AutoLookup in forms.
• Method 2: Use the Column property of a multiple-column combo box to update a text box control with new information.
• Method 3: Use multiple DLookup() functions in forms and reports.

Method 1: Using AutoLookup in Forms

For more information about using AutoLookup in forms, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type create an autolookup query that automatically fills in data in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

Method 2: Using the Column Property of a Combo Box

By assigning the Column property of a multiple-column combo box or list box to a text box, you can display one column from the current combo box selection in the text box. Microsoft Access automatically updates the text box when a selection is made from the combo box. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the sample Northwind.mdb or NorthwindCS.adp database.
2. Create a form or report based on the appropriate table or query.
3. Add a combo box or list box that retrieves information from more than one field.
   
   For example, you might use the following multiple-column Select statement as the RowSource property for a combo box or list box to display information from several columns in the Categories table:

   Select [CategoryId], [CategoryName], [Description] from Categories Order by [CategoryName]

   For this example, set the ColumnCount property to 3, and set the ColumnWidths property to an appropriate size for the combo box or list box. After you have the combo box or list box sized correctly and defined to return multiple fields, you can use the Column property to display the current selection in a text box control. Choose one entry in the list box first; otherwise, it returns a Null.
   
   The Column property uses a reference argument to refer to a specific column in the multiple-column combo box or list box. Use Column(0) to refer to the first column, Column(1) to refer to the second column, and so on.
   
   This example uses Column(1) to refer to [CategoryName], the second column in the combo box.
4. To display the [CategoryName] column of the current combo box selection, create a text box control. Make the text box a calculated control by defining the following expression as the ControlSource for the text box

   =[cboControlName].Column(1)

   where cboControlName is the name of the combo box. The Column property makes the text box (calculated control) read-only.

Method 3: Using DLookup in Controls

Create an unbound form, and then add a combo box named cboEmployeeLookup and a text box called txtLastNameLookup.

   Object: Combo Box
   -------------------------------
            Name: cboEmployeeLookup
   RowSourceType: Table/Query ("Table/View/StoredProc" in Access project)
       RowSource: Employees
     ColumnCount: 2
    ColumnWidths: 1
     BoundColumn: 1
    DefaultValue: 1

   Object: Text Box
   -------------------------------
            Name: txtLastNameLookup
   ControlSource: =DLookup("[LastName]","Employees","[EmployeeID]="        
                  & [cboEmployeeLookup])
				

Note that when you select an EmployeeID value with the cboEmployeeLookup combo box, the txtLastNameLookup text box is filled in.