How to select table values from combobox selection? - vba

Question

I'm using an Access 2003 database and have 2 comboboxes I am trying to work with. The first box I have perfected already, which is a dropdown of different tables (categories of parts). Once that table is selected, I want to be able to look at the part numbers within that category through a dropdown box selection. From here I want to be able to pull up the correct report for that category with that part number in it so I can print a report for every part number. I'm sure I'll have to write some sort of VBA, Query or Macro AfterUpdate() code, but I just don't know how to fill that second combobox with the selected table's part numbers.
Click here for an image of my Menu layout
Here's my Query for the first box to show the tables I want:
SELECT Msysobjects.Name
FROM Msysobjects
WHERE (((Msysobjects.Name) not Like "MSYS*"
And (Msysobjects.Name) not like "_*"
And (Msysobjects.Name) not like "~*"
) AND ((Msysobjects.Type)=1))
ORDER BY Msysobjects.Name;
And I think this is what I'll need to print after the second box has it's selection:
Private Sub partnumberselect_AfterUpdate()
DoCmd.OpenTable Forms![_Datasheet Printing].Form.TagLabelSelection.Column(1), acViewNormal
End Sub
Thank you in advance and let me know if you have any questions.

Answer 1

You are attempting what are called "cascading comboboxes" which means the second box is dependent on the selection of the first.
This is accomplished through the control source of the second combo box.
The first thing you should do is write a query that returns all possible options of the second combobox, without caring so much about filtering it based on the first combo selection. Once you have it returning the correct data, you will add a WHERE clause to the second box's control source that's something like:
WHERE Msysobjects.Name Like Forms![_Datasheet Printing]!TagLabelSelection.Value
This is referencing your first combobox on your form. So after a selection is made in the first combobox, the underlying control source of the second will have the proper criteria to return the appropriate options.
However, you will need to add some VBA to the AfterUpdate() event on the first combobox. Once the selection is made, you need the second box to refresh the control source to populate the correct selections. The code is simply:
Forms![_Datasheet Printing]![MySecondComboboxName].Requery

Answer 2

Please see the example below.
Private Sub cboCountry_AfterUpdate()
On Error Resume Next
cboCity.RowSource = "Select tblAll.City " & _
"FROM tblAll " & _
"WHERE tblAll.Country = '" & cboCountry.Value & "' " & _
"ORDER BY tblAll.City;"
End Sub
You can read all about this concept, and others, in the link below.
http://www.fontstuff.com/access/acctut10.htm