Convert text field to combo box?

I’m using a db in Access 2002 and have a form and a subform with a
one-to-many relationship. The form shows employees’ personal details and the
sub form which is continuous shows details of ID cards issued to each
employee. The forms are linked through a ‘Name’ field. I have been typing in
the name in both forms but I want to make the ‘Name’ field on the subform
into a combo box so that I can pick the name out of a list that is generated
from a table called Employees. Can I convert a text field into a combo box
field? I’m worried that the typed-in name on the subform will disappear from
each record if I change the control.

Changing a control on a form has no impact on the data already in the table
(although if it's not done correctly, the form may not work, or you may
impact data inserted from then on).

Select the text box, right-click on it, choose "Change To" from the context
menu that appears, and select Combo Box. Just make sure you have the correct
column of the combo box bound to the recordset.

If you're concerned, remember you can always make a copy of your current
forms, and work on that.

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


"Minnie M" wrote in message
...
I'm using a db in Access 2002 and have a form and a subform with a
one-to-many relationship. The form shows employees' personal details and
the
sub form which is continuous shows details of ID cards issued to each
employee. The forms are linked through a 'Name' field. I have been typing
in
the name in both forms but I want to make the 'Name' field on the subform
into a combo box so that I can pick the name out of a list that is
generated
from a table called Employees. Can I convert a text field into a combo box
field? I'm worried that the typed-in name on the subform will disappear
from
each record if I change the control.

Hi Doug, I practiced on a copy as you suggested and its working!

Many thanks for your help.

"Douglas J. Steele" wrote:

Changing a control on a form has no impact on the data already in the table
(although if it's not done correctly, the form may not work, or you may
impact data inserted from then on).

Select the text box, right-click on it, choose "Change To" from the context
menu that appears, and select Combo Box. Just make sure you have the correct
column of the combo box bound to the recordset.

If you're concerned, remember you can always make a copy of your current
forms, and work on that.

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


"Minnie M" wrote in message
...
I'm using a db in Access 2002 and have a form and a subform with a
one-to-many relationship. The form shows employees' personal details and
the
sub form which is continuous shows details of ID cards issued to each
employee. The forms are linked through a 'Name' field. I have been typing
in
the name in both forms but I want to make the 'Name' field on the subform
into a combo box so that I can pick the name out of a list that is
generated
from a table called Employees. Can I convert a text field into a combo box
field? I'm worried that the typed-in name on the subform will disappear
from
each record if I change the control.