Do I have to set the primary key to include primary key fields?

  • Thread starter Thread starter boooney
  • Start date Start date
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boooney

I have read that "in a junction table, you need to set the primary key to
include the primary key fields from the other two tables. "

If I do this, I keep getting the error message "the change you requested to
the table were not successful because they would create duplicate values in
the index, primary key, or relationship.

The only way I'm entering data is through a form based on a query which
automatically writes to all 3 tables (the junction and 2 parents) at once.

If I remove the primary keys in the junction tables, I no longer get the
error message. Am I going to regret this later?

Thanks.
 
I have read that "in a junction table, you need to set the primary key to
include the primary key fields from the other two tables. "
Click to expand...

Well, it's a good idea, but it's not in fact obligatory.
If I do this, I keep getting the error message "the change you requested to
the table were not successful because they would create duplicate values in
the index, primary key, or relationship.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you defined just one of the fields as the primary key, rather than
ctrl-clicking both fields and clicking the Key icon. Both foreign keys should
have the key icon next to them in table design view - not just one of them.
The only way I'm entering data is through a form based on a query which
automatically writes to all 3 tables (the junction and 2 parents) at once.
Click to expand...

Generally a Very Bad Idea. Why not use the tools that Access provides - a form
based on one of the "one" side tables, and a subform based on the junction
table?
If I remove the primary keys in the junction tables, I no longer get the
error message. Am I going to regret this later?
Click to expand...

Junction tables, plural? Are there more than one?
 
John,

Thanks...actually I did originally define both fields as the primary key.

Basically, what I have is an invoice table, an invoice-source junction
table, and a source table. What I found was that when I added more than one
source to an invoice, I would get the error message. As you suggested, I do
have a a form
based on the "invoice" table, and a subform based on the invoice-source
junction
table. Here is the SQL query on which the form-subform is based:

SELECT jnct_Invoice_Source.Invoice_ID, jnct_Invoice_Source.Source_ID,
jnct_Invoice_Source.Amount, Source.Source_Name,
jnct_Invoice_Source.Initial_Source, jnct_Invoice_Source.Init_Source_Repaid,
jnct_Invoice_Source.jnct_Invoice_Source_ID
FROM Source INNER JOIN (Invoices INNER JOIN jnct_Invoice_Source ON
Invoices.Invoice_ID = jnct_Invoice_Source.Invoice_ID) ON Source.Source_ID =
jnct_Invoice_Source.Source_ID;

Thanks again for your help.
 
John,

Thanks...actually I did originally define both fields as the primary key.

Basically, what I have is an invoice table, an invoice-source junction
table, and a source table. What I found was that when I added more than one
source to an invoice, I would get the error message. As you suggested, I do
have a a form
based on the "invoice" table, and a subform based on the invoice-source
junction
table. Here is the SQL query on which the form-subform is based:

SELECT jnct_Invoice_Source.Invoice_ID, jnct_Invoice_Source.Source_ID,
jnct_Invoice_Source.Amount, Source.Source_Name,
jnct_Invoice_Source.Initial_Source, jnct_Invoice_Source.Init_Source_Repaid,
jnct_Invoice_Source.jnct_Invoice_Source_ID
FROM Source INNER JOIN (Invoices INNER JOIN jnct_Invoice_Source ON
Invoices.Invoice_ID = jnct_Invoice_Source.Invoice_ID) ON Source.Source_ID =
jnct_Invoice_Source.Source_ID;

Thanks again for your help.
Click to expand...

No. Your subform is NOT "based on the invoice-source table". It is based on a
Query joining all three tables. That's why you're having the difficulty!

Change the Form's Recordsource to just the Invoice table - or a query sorting
the invoice table by date, or invoice number, or whatever's convenient; and
change the Subform's Recordsource to just jnct_Invoice_Source. Use InvoiceID
as the master/child link field, and use a combo box based on Source bound to
Source_ID so you can display the source name rather than the ID.
 
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