"M." wrote in message
...

My main question is: are there negative aspects associated with using a
primary key based on data fields versus using a primary key based on an
artificial primary key as generated with an autonumber field? In both
cases
the autonumber field would be used for defining relations between tables.

There's no reason to have an Autonumber field AND a "natural" primary key.

If you're going to create relationships, they will always be based on the
primary key. You cannot change that.

As Jeff said, this really is a religious war, so I won't say any more. g

--
Doug Steele, Microsoft Access MVP
http://I.Am/DougSteele
(no private e-mails, please)