numbers showing instead of data

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Guest

I have used a query to make labels, and instead of the data in the field
numbers show up. the table is linked to a look up table for the field. the
same thing happened when i did a mail merge.

Is there a reason why this has happened?

Lisa
 
Lisap said:
I have used a query to make labels, and instead of the data in the
field numbers show up. the table is linked to a look up table for the
field. the same thing happened when i did a mail merge.

Is there a reason why this has happened?

Lisa
Click to expand...

Because you used a Lookup field. Because of that what you see when you look
at your table is not what is actually stored in the table at all, but what
is actually stored is what your queries see. The use of Lookup fields is
largely discouraged by most developers and this is one of the primary
reasons.
 
I have used a query to make labels, and instead of the data in the field
numbers show up. the table is linked to a look up table for the field. the
same thing happened when i did a mail merge.

Is there a reason why this has happened?

Lisa
Click to expand...

As Rick says, it's because you used Microsoft's misdesigned,
misleading, vexing and all but useless so-called Lookup field. (no, I
don't like lookup fields very much. :-{) )

Your table APPEARS to contain the looked-up text. It doesn't. It
contains a numeric ID; that simple fact is merely concealed from your
view by the lookup combo box.

What you need to do is create a Query joining your table to its
related lookup table (or tables). This is what the "lookup field" does
in the table datasheet - but it sort of poops out when you try to do
much of anything else than the Table, such as a Query. It's very easy,
however, to simply include these other tables in your Query and select
the text field from the lookup table.

John W. Vinson[MVP]
 
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