Modify a Lookup List

Modifying an existing lookup field isn’t nearly as straightforward as creating one. You can display and modify the properties for a lookup field by clicking on the Lookup tab in the Field Properties section. There are many different reasons why you would want to modify a lookup field, including:

• To sort the records in a lookup list. For example, to sort the records in a lookup list alphabetically by last name.
• To add, change, or delete the static options in a value list. For example, you could add U.S. Postal Service to a Ship Via value list.

Modify a Lookup List

1. In Design View, click the field name for a field that contains a lookup list based on a table or query.
2. Click the Lookup tab.
3. Click the Row Source box.

   The technical looking text in the Row Source box is an S-Q-L statement that tells the Lookup list where to get its values. Fortunately, you don’t need to know SQL to modify a Lookup list. You can use the familiar query grid to create the SQL statement for you.

4. Click the Row Source Build button.
   

   In the Query Builder window, you can change the fields included in the lookup list, or add or remove a sort.

5. Make the desired changes and then click the Query Builder window’s Close button.
6. Click Yes.
   

Modify a Value List

1. In Design View, click the field name for a field that contains a value list that you want to modify.
2. Click the Lookup tab.
3. Click the Row Source box.

   The Row Source box contains the value list options.

   You can add or edit options in the value list by typing in the Row Source box.

4. Edit the value list options as desired in the Row Source box.

   Make sure that the options are enclosed by quotation marks and separated by a semicolon.

   

That’s all there is to adding an option to a value list.