Userselect, @popupmenu and combobox -  they basically work the same way and for the same purpose. If the list is short, I prefer combo-box or Popupmenu (even that is not right as with ability to dynamically updating combobox list (and popupmenu) , as done in the City element of display form). Conversely if the list is very  long, with @xuserselectr, one can narrow it down by searching for particular string while entering data in the field.  If you do not want to use combobox, you can use ordinary text element and use either @Popupmenu or userselect.  Good part about them that you never have to type anything, entry is always valid and fast. All new stringarray functions addition in ver. 1.04 and ver. 1.1 makes the job of string manupulation a whole lot easier. What one could achieve earlier by string manupulation with arrays and loops, now can be done with a simple statement.

That is truly the most beautiful thing I have seen this week! Yeah I dont get out much as of late.

Thank you for the pearls! 

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How do you enter the Data of Model and Serial in the SubForm? Do you have another external or internal database, (by external, what I mean is outside of application), where you list EquipmentName, EquipmentType, ModelNumber etc. May be Serial# is Unique for each piece of equipment but may be first few numbers might be common for particular equipment_type and last few digits would be unique. Once you get a Unique Key, you can autotype the respective element values in the form you are working on from another forms. If the key is not unique, you can get a shortened list displayed, One to Many relations, from where you have to pick up one applicable from the pickup list. Usually rule of thumb  is that, if you enter data in your database once, you should not have to re-type  it again manually. How easily you have it accomplished, depends largely on appllication design.

Unfortunately, sometimes there is duplication of data since you cannot output either on report or mailmerge without data being in the same form you are working with, but in the trade off,  we are having simple, uncomplicated database program that works well for us.

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Sorry to hear that, but do not hesitate to ask anything that is puzzling you. There are many extremely knowledgable people on this board who will go out miles to help you. Even the lanticans, who are the heart and soul of this product, are available to guide you when nothing else helps.  So, please do not get discouraged.  Give us the concrete example what exactly you are trying to do. It is really difficult sometimes to know exactly what you are planning to do, particularly without looking at your application.

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Conversely, while inputing data, if one  types up the same thing again and again, he has to ask, how can he avoid it.  It might involve making a small database external or internal and/or adding a little code.

Thanks Bob, for your input. That will definitely avoid making other database.  Filp, I am sure you realized that Bob is probably referring to (Bob, please correct me if I am wrong) to @xlookupall in the same element and then making it Unique by using @UniqueStringArray function:


On Element Entry Event
=======
var vString as String
vString = @xlookupall (@fn, "/= ", "Equipment_List!EquimentType", "EquipmentType")

vString = @UniqueStringArray (vString)
vString = @SortStringArray (vString, 0)

EquipmentType = @PopUpMenu (vString, "Equipment Type")

I hope this helps explains my query.

I have only 1 database named [newdispatch.db] it has many forms. My main form is called [dispatch] it has a most excellent lookup (thanks to all of you) of the customers names and fills in the customers address, phone and other info from the [CUST] form.

The [dispatch] form also has fields named (Machine Type) (Model) and (Serial).
I have a userselect menu in the (Machine Type) field that looks up in the [Equipment list] subform of the [CUST] form and pulls up all of the equipment of that customer. That works exactly as desired and looks like this

If @in (Machine Type, "..") > 0 then

Machine type = @Popupmenu (@xlookupall("Data\newdispatch.db", Company Name, "equipment list!co_Name", "Equipment type"), "equipment type")

I would like to be able to auto fill the (Model) and (Serial) fields on the [Dispatch] form with the info from the (Machine Type) field from the subform [Equipment List]

Many of my customers have the same type of equipment (but not the same serial number) so I cant do the xlookup (abc machine) from the (machine type) field. I would have no objections of adding a key field if need be.


This might be a better break down on my db

[Newdispatch.db]

[Dispatch] form, fields we are dealing with (Company Name), (Machine Type), (Model), and (Serial).

[CUST] form fields (Customer Name)

Natural linked to [CUST] its subform [Equipment List] subform. fields (Equipment Type), (Model No), (Serial No), (Other Info), (co-name)

I am absolutely clueless when it comes to variables strings and such. where might I read up on these subjects?

I am so glad you you didnt say all you have to do is......
and show how stupid simple it might be, or how I might be! 

You still might run into problem if the customer orders or owns the same type of equipment and they are listed in the different lines of subform, thus Unique value will not be Unique. I really do not know how often does that happens. If it happens, it will not give error but take the value from the first availble record. If this happens quite often, one will have to explore feasibility of using @xlookup all and if it gives 2 or more string value then it should give you warning and let you choose one appropriate one. In this case you will have to click on one to select that. I hope, I am clear.