DATABASE EXERCISES:

PULLDOWN MENUS

There is one part to this exercise: to develop your skills in constructing pulldown menus.

1.  Pulldown Menus. 

            a.  In the database you have constructed, create a table that has one field that will contain your menu choices. You may create a second field with numeric codes if you wish. The name of the field should designate a set of options that one could select (this will be your menu list table). The field in your menu list table should correspond to a field in one of your database tables (this will be your target table).  The menu list field could be referral sources, client's race, or program names.  In this field you should type three options that one could select.

 Save the table with a meaningful name that ends with the word "lookup".

            b.  If you have not done so, create a simple form for entering data into the target table having the field to which you wish to add a menu. This will be your target form. Use the Form Creation Wizard to do this.

            c.  View the target table in Design View.  Click on the "Field Type" column for the field whose menu you wish to display.

 Select the "Lookup Wizard" option.  Select the radio button "I want the lookup column to look up the values in a table or query."  Click on "Next".

 In response to the question "What table or query should provide the values for your look up column?", select the lookup table you have just created.

 Click on "Next."

 Select the field containing the values you want in your lookup menu.

 Then, click on "Next."

  In response to the question, "How wide do you want your columns?" question, manually drag the width left or right until your responses are fully displayed.

 Then, click on "Next".

 In response to the question "What label would you like for your lookup column?", type some meaningful label and click "Finish."

 Save your table.

            d.  Switch to Datasheet view for your target table and click a record in the field to which you have added a lookup menu.  Point to the right part of that field.  This should display your lookup menu.  You are done!  Close your table.  Provide a copy of the database to the Instructor.

©2009 William Holmes