Default value

[authorsami]

Can the default value of a field be based on two other fields in the same table.

I want to track how long it takes to do a job so I have a [starttime1] and [endtime1]( I also have 2 and 3)

I want to have an [elaptime1], 2, and 3.

Can I use a default value for the ElapTime1?????

Thanks Sharon

 

[jebry]

Hi!

Since you are storing start time and end time you don't need to store elapsed time since it can be calculated any time you need it.

To answer your specific question, the default value for one field on a table cannot be based on another field in the table.


hth


Jeff Bridgham
bridgham@purdue.edu

 

[Golom]

Don't think so ... and storing computed values is a violation of third normal form. (i.e. a field should be dependent on the primary key, the whole primary key and nothing but the primary key.) "ElapTime1" would be dependent on "StartTime1" and "EndTime1" which I assume, are not the primary keys. You can however present your elapsed times in a query quite nicely ... for example

   Select DateDiff ( "n", [StartTime1], [EndTime1] ) As [ElapTime1], 
          [StartTime1], [EndTime1], ... etc.

 

[authorsami]

Ok, so if I can calculate the total elapsed time at any time, how do I show it on a form and then later on a report??

SMD

 

[authorsami]

Golom, cool I guess I need to do a query to fix this.

Thanks
SMD

 

[jebry]

Hi!

You can do the same thing in a form or report. Just create a text box and set the Control Source to:

=[EndTime1] - [StartTime1]

or by using the DateDiff function in Golom's post.

hth


Jeff Bridgham
bridgham@purdue.edu

 

[authorsami]

Thanks guys

SMD