ACC2000: Subform Field Linker Builder Error Creating Links

ID: Q207755


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Access 2000

This article applies only to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb).

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.


SYMPTOMS

When you click the Subform Field Linker Build button next to the LinkChildFields or LinkMasterFields property of a bound subform property sheet, you may receive the following error message:

Can't build a link between unbound forms.


CAUSE

The linking field for the main form is not bound to a table or query.


RESOLUTION

You must manually create the link between the main form and the subform by typing the field names that you want to use in the LinkChildFields and LinkMasterFields property boxes.


MORE INFORMATION

You will be able to use the Subform Field Linker Builder to link the fields in your main form/subform combination only if the following conditions are true:

  • Both the main form and the child object are based on tables or queries, and a relationship between those objects has been defined with the Relationships command.


  • The main form is based on a table with a primary key, and the subform is based on a table or query that contains a field with the same name and the same or a compatible data type as the primary key.


Steps to Reproduce Behavior

  1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.


  2. Create a new form not based on any table or query in Design view, and save the form as Form1.


  3. Add a combo box to the form with the name SelectCustomer.


  4. Set the RowSource property of the SelectCustomer combo box to:


  5. 
          Select CustomerID from Customers ORDER BY CustomerID 
  6. Close and save Form1.


  7. Use the AutoForm: Columnar Wizard to create a new form based on the Orders table. Save the form as Form2, and then close it.


  8. Reopen the Form1 form in Design view and position the form so that you can see the Database window. Drag the Form2 form from the Database window to the detail section of the Form1 form.


  9. View the properties of the Form2 subform control, click the Data tab, and position the pointer in the LinkMasterFields property box. Click the Build (...) button. Note that you receive the error message mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.



REFERENCES

For more information about creating links between a main form and a subform, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type "How Microsoft Access links main forms and subforms" in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

Additional query words: prb

Keywords : kberrmsg kbusage kbdta FmsSubf
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: May 13, 1999
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