list problems and design issues

[spizotfl]

hi. i have a list of services that need to be included in my database. i need to allow the user to make multiple selections from this list. some items in the list require additional information to be input by the user (like an "Other" category, that, if selected, needs to have more details entered by the user).
i am trying to figure out a good way to model all this, and then figure out how to design forms and allow the user input.
i have tried a couple of different things, all with their own problems.
first: i made a gigantic table with each a yes/no field for each service. i also made fields in the table for the optional information. when i made the form, i made a big grid of checkboxes with the occassional textbox for the optional info. of course this setup allows no changes to the list of services and so it shouldn't be used.
second: i have a table, tblservicelist, that lists all of the services. it also has two yes/no fields to mark whether or not some sort of additional info is needed for that service. i then have a table, tblserviceselected, that can hold the service from the list, the youthid, and the additional information, if there is any. the problem is, i can't figure out how to make this work on a form.... if i didn't need the additional information, i could easily use two listboxes, one with the available options, the other with the users selections, but i can't figure out what to do with the additional information.
i am looking for any help or guidance that anyone has. besides the services, i have a couple of other bits of information that fit the same general pattern.
thanks,
mike

 

[Blorf]

Hi. Not knowing your db setup, here are my thoughts.

Instead of your services being part of a "main" table your form is based on, make them a sub table, and sub form. This way, you can add as many services as you need.

Next, if your services list contained a yes/no that indicates additional info required, when a yes service is entered, it can create a record in a sub sub table, that the user can edit. The sub sub form would allow changes, but not additions, so the sub record wont even exist unless it is for a service that requires it.

I hope that makes sense, that I understand the problem.

ChaZ

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