I am working on a cost study form for a body shop. Each vehicle will have its
own page. I have to be able to add up to 15 different list part totals as
well as 15 different net part totals. I then need to add the 7% tax of the
list part total to the net parts total. I would love some input on what would
be the easiest way to achieve this because I then have to generate a report
with by the different companies showing total parts, total labor and total
profit ratio.
You're mixing things up. Data STORAGE (tables, relationships, etc.), data
MANIPULATION (calculations, queries) and data PRESENTATION (forms, reports)
are three quite different tasks with different requirements. If you're
starting with a form you're on the wrong track!
You should certainly have at *least* the following tables: Vehicles; Parts;
Companies; RepairJobs I'd guess... probably several more.
The totals and tax calculations would be done either in one or more Queries on
these tables, or in calculated fields on a Form or Report. They would not be
stored.
Start with a properly normalized table design; then go to data entry forms to
fill the tables; and only then start thinking about "pages" or totals. You
don't usually worry about paint color or topcoat when you're still designing
the engine!
Here are some resources that might help with this (fairly big) task; the
tutorials toward the end might be a good start:
Jeff Conrad's resources page:
http://www.accessmvp.com/JConrad/accessjunkie/resources.html
The Access Web resources page:
http://www.mvps.org/access/resources/index.html
Roger Carlson's tutorials, samples and tips:
http://www.rogersaccesslibrary.com/
A free tutorial written by Crystal:
http://allenbrowne.com/casu-22.html
A video how-to series by Crystal:
http://www.YouTube.com/user/LearnAccessByCrystal
MVP Allen Browne's tutorials:
http://allenbrowne.com/links.html#Tutorials