For starters, I am a truck mechanic (access is a hobby) I started with a sample access database. I have a form [workorders] and added fields (mileage) and (engine hours). I do not want to close the form without added these values. My problem is that some equipment have mileage OR an hour meter OR both. If I set the required field to "yes" in the table [workorders]it always ask to enter data in that field. I created a group option [frameMiles]with opt1 = miles/ opt2 = hours/ opt3 = both. Mileage is the default. My question is...Is there a way to change the validation rule or required property depending on what option is selected. Should I add beforeupdate or afterupdate event code in [frameMiles].Any help would greatly appreciated. I have been working on this for days... any longer and I think my wife is going to go to her group option and click a different husband.

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Richard Replies: Don't use the required property. You don't need an option group either.

You can set a TABLE-LEVEL validation rule to check and make sure that one or the other value has been set. This is different from (but similar to) a FIELD-LEVEL validation rule.

Open up the table in DESIGN MODE. Go to it's property sheet. In the VALIDATION RULE property, enter this:

Not IsNull([Field1]) Or Not IsNull([Field2])

Of course, replace Field1 and Field2 with your field names. Then in the VALIDATION TEXT field, put something like:

"Either Field1 or Field2 needs a value"

That's it. No crazy option groups or VBA code required.

Hope this helps.... now tell your wife that you solved your problem. She no longer has any other options. :)