Expanding a number range from Access data entry form into table - ms-access

Question

I am building an inventory database that needs to track individual items. Each item has a unique number associated with it. However, we receive these items in bulk quantities, and distribute them likewise. I have set up a data entry form to input the start of the item number range, and the end of the item number range. For example, the item range would look something like this -- 1056-56701 through 1056-56800. The item number is always 4 digits followed by a dash and 5 digits. I am looking to expand the range that is put into my data entry form, so that each individual item number within the range is saved to my table. In this case-- 1056-56701, 1056-56702, 1056-56703, 1056-56704....156-56800. I also need to save the corresponding info for each item range as it is saved as an individual number. That would include things like 'date received', 'size', etc.
I have read some other responses to similar problems, but I still can't get this to function properly. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

An example of the design you might need:
MASTER
------
Prefix Int (primary key)
SuffixBegin String
SuffixEnd String
ItemDescription String
DateReceived Date
Size String
. . . more columns for any other data common to the entire "batch"
DETAIL
------
ID Int (primary key)
Prefix Int (foreign key, related to the same-named column in the Master table)
Suffix String (values such as "56701", "56702", etc.)
. . . more columns for whatever data you need to store about unique suffix items
You could then find data for a specific item something like this (pseudo-SQL, untested):
SELECT M.ItemDescription, D.SomeSuffixSpecificData
FROM MASTER M, DETAIL D
WHERE M.Prefix = (the Prefix you're interested in)
AND D.Suffix = (the Suffix you're interested in)
JOIN M.Prefix = D.Prefix

Answer 2

You can use a function like this to list and add your items:
Public Function AddBulk(ByVal First As String, ByVal Last As String) As Integer
Dim Items As Integer
Dim Item As Integer
Dim BulkId As String
' Open your inventory table.
' Set rs = CurrentDb.OpenRecordset("Select Top 1 * From Inventory")
For Item = Split(First, "-")(1) To Split(Last, "-")(1)
BulkId = Split(First, "-")(0) & "-" & Item
Debug.Print Items, BulkId
' Insert code to add one record to your inventory table.
' rs.AddNew
' rs!BulkId.Value = BulkId
' rs!OtherField.Value = somevalue
' rs.Update
Items = Items + 1
Next
' rs.Close
AddBulk = Items
End Function