autofill a field on a form with default value

I have tblApplication Table. I have a tblContract Table. I have a continuous
form that uses these 2 tables to allow the user to create a quick contract
for everyone who has submitted an application. In most cases the "start"
(date) field will always be the same date. So I would like a way to have the
default value of the "frmCreateContract.Start" to automatically fill in the
field when it is null. Once "Start" has a value, or is edited, I would want
that value to hold & not resort back to the default everytime the form is
opened.

Right now I have the default value of the form field set to 9/16/2008 but
when I open the form, all records show up with the "Start" field empty. Then
the last record or next NEW record waiting to be created has the default
value in it. But I need it to fill in all the records I'm showing -- quickly.

Can this be done without having to copy & paste the start date into each
record?

Try setting the default of the field in the table.
--
KARL DEWEY
Build a little - Test a little


"Donna" wrote:

I have tblApplication Table. I have a tblContract Table. I have a continuous
form that uses these 2 tables to allow the user to create a quick contract
for everyone who has submitted an application. In most cases the "start"
(date) field will always be the same date. So I would like a way to have the
default value of the "frmCreateContract.Start" to automatically fill in the
field when it is null. Once "Start" has a value, or is edited, I would want
that value to hold & not resort back to the default everytime the form is
opened.

Right now I have the default value of the form field set to 9/16/2008 but
when I open the form, all records show up with the "Start" field empty. Then
the last record or next NEW record waiting to be created has the default
value in it. But I need it to fill in all the records I'm showing -- quickly.

Can this be done without having to copy & paste the start date into each
record?

You could also do some VBA for the form when it is submitted to test the
field for a Null value and if it is Null insert the current date or whatever
date you want.


"KARL DEWEY" wrote in message
...
Try setting the default of the field in the table.
--
KARL DEWEY
Build a little - Test a little


"Donna" wrote:

I have tblApplication Table. I have a tblContract Table. I have a
continuous
form that uses these 2 tables to allow the user to create a quick
contract
for everyone who has submitted an application. In most cases the "start"
(date) field will always be the same date. So I would like a way to have
the
default value of the "frmCreateContract.Start" to automatically fill in
the
field when it is null. Once "Start" has a value, or is edited, I would
want
that value to hold & not resort back to the default everytime the form is
opened.

Right now I have the default value of the form field set to 9/16/2008 but
when I open the form, all records show up with the "Start" field empty.
Then
the last record or next NEW record waiting to be created has the default
value in it. But I need it to fill in all the records I'm showing --
quickly.

Can this be done without having to copy & paste the start date into each
record?