Hi Chris, > As a matter of fact, that's exactly what I am doing. I create > a database with one table. The table has fields that correspond > to the fields on the document, which can be anywhere from 2 to, > the most recent job, 145 fields.
But is the information literally unique to each field in such a way that you couldn't use a second reference table for certain values? > If it would help, I guess I could have a table for each page > of the document, with each table sharing a record number > identifier, so it would be 8 tables with under 20 fields per > table, per record number. Would something like this be a > better approach? Depends on the actual situation, but generally yes. I've seen very few situations where you have over 20 fields that need to be stored in the same table as a single "record." > For different project types I can see what you mean. But, > what if you are processing 5000 chuck mc donalds birthday > club applications, divided into 10 batches of 500 each. > For the example we'll say there's actually 150 fields worth > of data on each application. How can I more effectively > design a DB that the data entry operators store this entered > data into? Addresses would split off into a separate table, phone numbers, contact people... Anything that has a given logical structure that is bound to certain constraints. One way to look at it is how they're putting the information in. Most printed forms have segregation of function within their layout - big thick lines between work history and references, for example. Each of those would then be candidates for segregation into their own tables, bound to the primary table only through a uniqueid link. It also enables you to extend the 'document' to more than the default number of records for any of those sections. References is only 3 lines, but you want to put in 5 references? Click an 'add' button on the interface and it'll let you. Form only have space for 3 programming languages? An interactive visual interface wouldn't suffer those limitations - instead you could list all of them. > ...although each individual file at a minimum is just large > enough not to fit on a floppy. You can 'compact and repair' the access databases via code, the same as you would via "alt+t+d+c" in access. If you're not doing this already. :) > Someday I would like to use ASP and just have them enter it > online, but that is far in the future. I love ASP. I don't even consider compiled executeables for new projects anymore. If it can be done thru a server providing a single point for upgrades and user management - why not? > ...by the time I get home I am lucky enough to have enough > energy to watch Blue's Clues with my son before I go to > sleep on the couch. They killed that show when they got rid of Steve. :( http://ReliableAnswers.com/Kids/ > I didn't even get this whole message > finished before he came in here and hopped in my lap. This > type of thing makes it hard to work at home without > sacrificing my time with him, and it's just he and I here. I know the feeling. I've been working from home for 6 years, my son is now eight. I'm raising him 'geek' - he had his own computer at 11 months and built one from parts at 4. I try to offload as much of my workload as I can on him (sure, call it child exploitation if you want to - but he's doing awesome!). When my brother (a graphic artist) was staying with us about 3 years ago I had a rule that nobody could get 'free personal tech support' from me at home without first talking to Zachary to see if he could fix it. My brother interrupted me when I was working one night with a problem in Photoshop, and I asked if he'd talked to Zach yet. "No - I'm not asking a 5 year old how to do something in photoshop!" "Fine, don't expect to get any help though." My wife sent Zachary to help him and I overheard my brother start yelling about it - until Zachary showed him what he wanted to know. Can you imagine being "the graphics guy" and being shown up by a five year old? Heheheheheh. It was a riot. Anyway... Regards, Shawn K. Hall http://12PointDesign.com/ http://ReliableAnswers.com/ '// ======================================================== "Constant exposure to dangers will breed contempt for them." -- Seneca '// ======================================================= Rules : http://ReliableAnswers.com/List/Rules.asp Home : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vbHelp/ ======================================================= Post : [email protected] Join : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Leave : [EMAIL PROTECTED] '// ======================================================= Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vbhelp/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
