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Can I use tags in MS Access 2010, and how?

Anonymous
2012-10-01T14:54:49+00:00

Can I use tags in MS Access 2010, and how? I apologize if this has been answered, but I couldn't seem to find exactly what I was looking for. I am very unfamiliar will Access, but have been tasked with implementing a database in which my company will index newspapers. It will only be a basic desktop database. It will contain basic information (date, article title, page, etc.) but they also want to use tags (subject headings essentially, like "government" or "crime") so that if someone comes asking for an article about this, we can navigate based on these tags. Any help getting started would be much appreciated!

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  1. ScottGem 68,810 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2013-12-19T20:02:53+00:00

    First, its not a good idea to piggyback your question on another thread. Its usually best to start your own question, maybe with a link to the original thread.

    That being said, the way to do this is with a keywords table:

    tblKeyword

    KeywordID (PK Autonumber)

    RecordID (FK)

    Keyword

    You would enter keywords (or phrases) using a subform linked to the main form. You can then create a query that joins your main table on RecordID. From there you can do a search on the Keyword field for any matches and returns the matching records.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-10-01T15:31:06+00:00

    This is merely a question of building a tags table with a 1-to-many relationship between it and your main newspaper table.

    Your table could be something as simple as:

    tbl_NewsPaper_Tags

    NewsPaperTagID

    TagId

    Then you could create a tag lookup table to store the various tags (to have a standard list to work from), something like

    tbl_lst_Tags

    TagId

    TagDesc

    With a 1-to-many relationship between the 2 tables on the TagId field.

    Also, one word of caution, the term tag is one that typically means something else in MS Access, so you may wish to rename it to Subject, Category ... to avoid any confusion.  If not, always be very explanatory in your questions on the subject so people do not get confused.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-12-19T18:50:45+00:00

    I am dealing with this same issue but would like the users to freely enter the keywords.  In the original question the person asked about tagging one subject heading like "government or crime".  I'm additionally intersted in being able to query based on combinations of subjects, i.e. bring up a list of data tagged government, a list of data tagged government and crime, a list of data tagged government and immigration, or a list of data tagged immigration, etc.  In other words each entry has multiple user defined headings which I would like to search on.  Please let me if anyone thinks this is feasible. 

    Thanks!

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  4. ScottGem 68,810 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2012-10-01T16:59:36+00:00

    What you are referring to is commonly called keywords. Words that can be used in a search. As Daniel said this is easily implemented The question is whether you want users to assign keywords from a list or let the users freely enter them. Daniel's solution uses a list of acceptable keywords. 

    You would generally use a main form/sub form for this. The main form bound to your table of articles with a subform showing the keywords. To search for a keyword you would select it from the list and run a query that joins the 2 tables and filters for the selected keywords by ID.

    A tag in Access parlance is a property of a control on a form or report that allows you to group controls by their tag.

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  5. Anonymous
    2012-10-15T16:38:41+00:00

    This is all very helpful, and makes general sense to me.

    However, to say I am a novice with Access is an understatement. I have been tasked with this out of necessity, not because I have any experience with it. If either of you would be able to provide me a brief starting point, I should be able to figure out the rest. I understand the need for these additional subject tables in theory, but am unsure how to begin setting this all up.

    I'd appreciate any help you could offer. Thanks again!

    Luke

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