Issues with method of bulk entry for multiple offers

[mrushton]

I am trying to establish an easier way for users to input similar data (which is tied across three tables).

Table 1 : Supplier Info
Table 2 : Offer Info
Table 3 : Item info

Currently supplier info is entered on one form, then another form captures the offer and item info (the item is a subdatasheet). My problem is that we may have 100+ offers, containing multiple items, but the offers are similar i.e. the supplier, dates, delivery etc details are the static for all 100+, and even some of the item details are too.

Previously a spreadsheet was used, and I investigated whether I could use this again and import, but don't see how I could update three tables from the spreadsheet.

Basically it is alot more work for the user to enter all the offers as the dbase (yes I know Fundamentals of Rel. Dbase design) is mainly designed for the more frequent "one off" offers than the bulk loading of multiple merchandise.

Can someone lend me some ideas.

I was thinking perhaps I can create a table from a query with just supplier name, offer details, and item details and import to that.

Look forward to hearing from someone.
Thanks

 

[BNPMike]

Access is good at presenting forms and sub-forms, and also at presenting lists for you to select from. I'm not clear what your problem is with offers. maybe you need to give them a simple key - a code, or whatever - so the similarity of data content is hidden.

You shouldn't really need a spreadsheet but if it is 1NF relational (ie all the items in any given column are the same type of thing and there are no multiple entries in cells) as a temporary measure, import it into a table (the same shape as the spreadsheet) and then run three update queries, each picking data appropriate to the table you are updating.

 

[earthandfire]

May be a simpler approach would be to investigate using Sub Forms rather than seperate forms. This would make it relatively easy to enter the common data on the main form and have the sub forms (linked to your tables) pick up this data.


Hope this helps.

 

[KenReay]

Hi

In addition to EarthandFire's suggestion of using a main form to enter the info which is common across 'n' items, you could make use of the default property of the input form to all the use of a "same as previous row" approach, unless the user actually enters a value

Regards

Ken Reay
Freelance Solutions Developer
Boldon Information Systems Ltd
Website needs upgrading, but for now -

http://www.kenneth.reay.btinternet.co.uk

UK