Substituting letters for fractions

[vepz]

I need to enter a fraction into one of the fields on my form. I want to use a letter for each fraction like w=1/16, e=1/8, etc up to k=15/16. I would like to be able to enter the letter into the field but have the fraction displayed and the decimal equivalent available for other uses. I am unsure how to accommplish this.

I want to type an E, disply 1/8 on the form and store .125 for calculations.

Thanks,

Greg

 

[Remou]

You can use a table with the various references and a combobox.

 

[missinglinq]

Or something like this, with the field defined as Text:

Private Sub YourField_AfterUpdate()
 Select Case YourField
   Case "w"
    Me.YourField = "1/16"
   Case "e"
    Me.YourField = "1/8"
   Case Else
    MsgBox Me.YourField & " Is Not a Valid Entry"
   End Select
 End Sub

Then, to use the field in a calculation

Eval(Me.YourField)

The Missinglinq

Richmond, Virginia

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

 

[Remou]

missinglinq
The op says "and store .125 for calculations".

 

[vepz]

I tried to use the code because it seemed cleaner than using the combo box.

I went to properties/afterupdate and changed it to event procedure. I then opened the code page and cut and pasted your code, switching the fields to match my appication. I received an error ambiguous name detected, fraction_afterupdate.

Did I not use your code properly? When I enter a w, a w shows in the field and then I get the error message.

I really was not sure how to use your information properly.

 

[MajP]

I would recommend the table idea as well. It is very flexible. If you go with code then every time you want to add a new fraction you will have to rewrite your code.

simply build the table

tblFractions
fractionID
fractionText
decimalValue


I.e

a "1/2" .5
w "1/4" .25
x "1/3" .3333

etc.

now you can add to this table at any time. To use as a combo you will return the first two fields in a query
and show the ID but return the fractionText.

 

[vepz]

I already have the table create. For the record, the fractions are limited to 15 set fractions, no more.

Please clarify how I will enter a letter, display the fraction and store the decimal equivalent in my form. I am fairly new to this and could use some advice.

Thanks,

Greg

 

[vepz]

I have gotten the code to work so when I enter a letter, the proper fraction is displayed.

I am not sure how to use the eval function to return a decimal equivalent.

Any tips?

 

[MajP]

It is a relation database. So if you have a fraction table there is no need for any code. If you store a fraction ID in your main table then link it to the fraction table and you can use the decimal value field in a query.

 

[missinglinq]

BTW, the error message "ambiguous name detected, fraction_afterupdate" means that you already had a fraction_afterupdate sub in your code; you can only have one.

The Missinglinq

Richmond, Virginia

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

 

[vepz]

I cleaned up the code and things are working well. I have one more issue. I used eval to convert the fraction into the decimal equivalent. However, when there is no fraction, the field is null. I have converted the null field into a 0 for calculation purposes but when I try and use the 0, I receive an error message. Since the original field is a text field so it can accept the letter, I thinkn there is a problem converting between text and number fields. Even though the eval field is a number field.

I can supply more info if I know what is needed to cure.

Thanks,

Greg

 

[missinglinq]

What are you trying to use the zero for and what error are you using?

The Missinglinq

Richmond, Virginia

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

 

[vepz]

I am taking the feet, inches and fractions and calculating the length in linear feet.

Feet+inch/12+fraction/12.

I have found if I enter a 0 instead of the letter designation for the fraction, the zero value does work.

 

[vepz]

Another "challenge" I have run into is with the output. I combined [feet],[inch] and [fraction] to produce 5'-6 1/2". However, when the fraction is 0, my output becomes 5'-6 0" whick is not very desirable. I would love to change the output with a 0 fraction to 5'-6". I cannot get a cndition statement to work properly.

 

[missinglinq]

Let's see the code you use to do the combining of feet/inches/fraction.

The Missinglinq

Richmond, Virginia

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

 

[vepz]

=[feet] & "'-" & [inch] & " " & [fraction] &

 

[randy700]

How about...

& iif([fraction] = 0,"",[fraction])

Randy

 

[PHV]

I'd use this:

=[feet] & "'-" & [inch] & IIf([fraction]=0, "", " " & [fraction]) & """"

Hope This Helps, PH.
FAQ219-2884
FAQ181-2886

 

[vepz]

PHV,

I used your suggestion which did eliminate the 0 when the fraction was O. However, when there was a fraction, it reutrns an error message. I cannot see why.

 

[PHV]

it reutrns an error message
Any chance you could post the error message ?