Access Expert 4 Lesson 4 TI 3:44 - Perhaps I have learned this tip through your classes Rick.

When I have a large list of information I need listed in a combo box, I sometimes add an additional Number field in the helper table called "SortBy".

I can then create combo boxes are sorted based on the value of this hidden field. We can then assign and control the sort that will bring the more popular entries to the top of the list within the combo box. Simple editing using the helper form for this table can then change how the info is presented in the combo boxes.

For example, if I have 25 entries and I use 10 of them 50% of the time, I would assign a number in the SortBy field for each entry so that these 10 entries I want at the top have values of say 10, 20, 30, 40, ..., 100. The balance of the entries would have some values that are higher arbitrary values - still allowing the list to be in the order as I would like to see it.

I use non-sequential numbers in the field so that later I can squeeze an entry in between those already in the list. That is, if I want to add / change an entry that I now want to be third most popular, I would enter a number between 20 and 30 (most likely 25) assigned to the entry.

Then when we open up a form with a dialog box using this helper table, the end user would then see the new entry in the third position in the list.

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Reply from Richard Rost:

Yep. I use a "custom sort" field all the time. Lets me control HOW the data is sorted. For example, I might want "Access Beginner 9" to be sorted before "Access Beginner 10".