Data in Combo Box column is not visible! 1

[Hawimatidasa]

I have a combo box on my form that has two columns. The first shows the item number (ItemNum) and the second column shows the description (ItemDesc). The ItemNum column is the bound field. The problem is that when I click on the drop down arrow, the column with the ItemNum data is not visible. Just the 2nd column with the description is visible. The kicker is that when you select a record and the drop-down box closes, the item number is now visible in the box because it is the bound field. So, the data is there, but just not visible(?!?!) Here is some additional info:

- This database is about 3 years old and this form has been working fine until about a week ago.
- When I look at the properties of the combo box, the text color is set to "0" (black), just like the 2nd column.
- When you look at the query, the "show" box is checked.

Basically, I have checked all the simple fixes and have come up empty. I even compacted/repaired the db and it didn't work. We pulled a backup off the company's backup tape from last week and the problem is still there.

Oh, and I deleted the combo box and re-created it - and the problem re-appeared as well.

Incidentally, there is another combo box with multiple columns on this form, and it works fine.

Like I said, I wrote this db years ago and it has been fine up until recently. Has anyone else hit this glitch before??

 

[RivetHed]

Have you checked that the column count and column widths properties are correctly set up?

 

[Hawimatidasa]

Yes - column count is 2. Field width is 2.75" with column one = 1" and column two = 1.75"

I even tried adding a third and fourth column by selecting the information for ItemNum to be in the 1st and 3rd column and ItemDesc to display in the 2nd and 4th columns. As a result, the 1st and 3rd columns are not visible, but the 2nd and 4th are. (weird, eh!?)

 

[Hawimatidasa]

OK - I just figured out what is going on, so I will post my findings in order to help out anyone who has this porblem in the future.

I went to the design of the table that these fields are in and looked at the properties for the fields. The ItemNum was a text field and in the "Format" property there was a ">" symbol. I have no idea how it got there, but when I removed it and saved the table, the combo box in my form displayed the information!

I have no idea why this happened, or what the ">" symbol is for, but a fix is a fix and if it helps someone else, so be it!

 

[missinglinq]

The > is used to format the data into Upper Case. A formatted field (any formatting, not just the >) causing a combobox's content to disappear is one of the most commonly reported bugs of Acc2003 when the new update, SP3, has been installed. There's still no word on when Micro$oft will issue a patch for this fiasco! The only way to get rid of SP3, as I understand it, is to un-install then re-install up to SP2.

The Missinglinq

Richmond, Virginia

There's ALWAYS more than one way to skin a cat!

 

[Hawimatidasa]

Thanks Missinglinq for the info!