A data access page (DAP) is an Access object, but unlike the other objects you've learned about so far, the page is actually a Dynamic Hypertext Markup language (DHTML) file.  A page looks and responds like an Access form or report, but you can view the page using a Web browser and update a connected database via an Internet connection.

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A lookup field is a table-level user-defined data type that stores a value other than the value it displays.

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The Web Page does not support lookup fields

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Did you notice that most of the buttons on the navigation bar are disabled?  That's because this page can only display data.  When a page is based on more than one table or query, you must decide which table the page can update; otherwise, it will update nothing.

To set the appropriate property, open the page in design view, select the appropriate data section, open the Properties window, click the Data tab, and set the UniqueTable property to the table you want to update.

Note to Be - Important

How You'll Use Pages

  1. The technology that produces these objects is impressive.  Imagine creating a Web page with just a few clicks!  On the other hand, that same technology is somewhat limited:
  2. You can view the page object only in Internet Explorer 5 and later
  3. You must publish a page on a Microsoft server.  Specifically, you must have Internet Information Server (IIS) 4 or later if you want to share the page and data with others.  You can use a page on your own system, if you want, without IIS
  4. The client PC (the PC with the Web browser) must have an Office license to interact with a page object. Without that license, you can still view the page but you cannot interact with it.  If you're just publishing static data via a page, this limitation would not really matter.
  5. Pages run o Microsoft Script, a complex scripting language.  Consequently, page objects are hard to automate and modify.  If the wizard does a good job of creating what you need, this limitation probably won't have much impact on you.

The technology provides a great tool for creating and implementing dynamic data using your Web browser.  More than likely, you'll use the page object to share data on an intranet.  Or, you can use the page object to create a quick mock-up or prototype of a Web page during the design and development process.