I've been developing and working with my solution for what seems like forever so getting around and manipulating data is easy for me. but...

My solution is used in an IT department to inventory all equipment and track trouble tickets. Everything is based on people, devices and services being a numbers. Basically I’m using auto-generated keys/id in the solution to assign related records/info. I’m finding that other struggle with this concept

I'm looking for suggestion (examples are great) on how to maybe keep these numbers hidden but and let other use words and text to manipulate related data..

My first thought is to use more value lists but that could result in some very long value lists.

It sounds like you need to check out Conditional Value Lists (aka Dynamic Value Lists)

Do a search of the Forum for [color:blue]+Conditional +Value +Lists (include the plus sign as shown) and you will find an abundance of reading, and examples.

Also, do a search at

http://www.databasepros.com/

for conditional value lists and there are a few example files there.

BTW, bookmark this Resource.

HTH

Lee