Importing and combining data from other database

[adamhe]

I want to import either excel data or use already existing database data however a new column that will be in the new database will be a total of two other columns from the previous one. Can this be accomplished in access automatically so that as new data is entered it will calculate this new column on the fly?

Just curious as I am new with out Access operates.

Thanks,

Adam

 

[SydneyGeek]

As a general rule you don't do calculations in tables or store calculations. There are a couple of ways to go:

1. Keep it all in a query.
Build a query with all fields from the imported table, plus an extra field which combines data from the 2 fields you want to join. Example: to create FullName from FirstName and LastName you could do this --
FullName:=[LastName] & ", " & [FirstName] This gives names in the format Brown, Dave
Then use this query as the basis for all other forms / reports / etc

2. Use an Update query to write the combined data into a new table field. Same expression as above but you need to run it EVERY time you import or the data changes.

Personally, I'd go with the first option unless you have thousands of records and you find things getting very slow.

Denis