Forum Discussion
Access Lookup - pull thru of data from associated/linked table - data from two fields
Unfortunately, you've implemented Lookup fields in your tables. That "feature" is available for reasons that are less than convincing to experienced Access developers. They tend to confuse new users, at the very least, and often throw complications into the situation. They are unique to Access and SharePoint lists. No other database engine uses them.
The problem you have encountered is common to attempts to use Lookup Fields in tables instead of creating valid Primary/Foreign Key relationships between tables in the Relationship Diagram.
My advice would be not to continue fighting with attempting to make it work. Convert them to standard Long Integer fields and designate the relationships using the standard method -- the Relationship Diagram.
That way "what you see is what you get" in the queries, forms and reports where you use the tables. This confusion over the visibility of the Foreign Key versus the text value associated with that Foreign Key will be eliminated.
Thank you... great advice; having learned my database experience under the tutilage of the old 'DataPerfect' solution, happy to get the ins and outs of Access... I remember in the 1990s Access was notorious for trying to implement Dataperfect-like solutions only to experience similarities as what I see now. Good to know that things have not changed much in 30 years. LOL
One a serious note, Thank you and I will deploy as you instruct. Thank you!