Alpha characters based off number?

March 13, 200718 yr

Hey all,

I don't know if this is the right section, so please move if incorrect.

I'm also not really sure how best to describe this so bear with me.

I work for a custom steel manufacturer. We need to track our plate inventory very acurately for code work. We have a system in place that uses a 3 character string of the alphabet. Example "AAA". This is marked on the plate and then to our job cards so we know what plate/grade of material was used. When we buy the plate, the mill that produced it will include paperwork that verifies chemical and physical specifications. We use "AAA" to quickly find paperwork related to the plate. The system works well and has been used for about 15 years, so everyone understands it very well.

We have just started using "Z**" and so our system needs to change slightly. I have suggested to start tracking these items on the computer so we can have a searchable, more up to date inventory system.

I'm having some problems developing an automated entry for this alpha code of ours. What I'm thinking is I will have a field that auto enters a 4 digit number and then 4 fields that will reference a table. 0=A, 1=B, etc.

I'll try to set up an example:

Auto calc Field = 0001

Field1 = find -***

Field2 = find *-**

Field3 = find **-*

Field4 = find ***-

Our Code = "AAAB"

I've done some searching here but havn't found anything. Any and all suggestions or previous posts would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

March 13, 200718 yr

I think what you are looking for is an incrementing Alpha Code???

Such that starting from zero...

Part Number 0 = AAAA

Part Number 1 = AAAB

26 = AABA

etc.

If so, why not use an auto-entered serial number that is set to increment by 1 for each new record. Then all you need to do is convert the serial number from base 10 to base 26. Example attached, User = Admin, no password.

Hope thats what you are looking for.

Base26.zip

March 13, 200718 yr

Author

thanks sbg2. That is exactly what I needed. I'm going to work on it and see if I can get it to work how I want it to.

I am planning on making an auto-enter serial number eventually but I don't want every letter in the alphabet (V looks alot like U, etc.). I was thinking of choosing only very distinct letters. I'll let you know how it works out or if I have more questions. Thanks again.