Barbara,
Thanks so much for your answer. If I may, I have a few questions more ( see below)

>Dan,
>Do you have a relation set between your child table and the parts table? If so, then this item SHOULD fill in correctly. You may have to refresh the textbox in the grid with this data.

Actually, I have 3 Tables that I am trying to relate in this one grid. the first once, called Service, is indexed on a field called Tr_no, and my current grid is set with service as the parent table. The reason I did this is because I only want records in the child table ( inv_parts) to show that match this value. Am I incorrect in setting this up this way? Of course, I also have the table Parts, which holds all my parts info, description, cost, etc, and its indexed and keyed on part_no...

The first field in my grid (tr_no) fills in correctly when adding a record, but I have been unsucessful in getting the descption field, cost, etc (from the Parts table to fill in. Column 2 of my grid isnt a combo box, but simply a user fill-in field for the part_no which should drive the remaining fields, all from the parts table). I have tried setting the controlsource for these fields to the Parts table, but it doesnt work. BTW, in what function area of the grid or column should I issue a refresh command? I have tried almost all of them.
>

>However, if you want to do a lookup, then you can put it in the lostfocus of the combo box where you choose the part #.
>
Can you explain more about what you mean by a "lookup"???

Thanks
Dan



>>In designing a grid on a form that uses 3 tables, how does one set up the properties correctly so that when you input a value in a column, it will cause the next column to display the value as determined by the tables indexes... ie: say you input the number 1 in the column called Part_no, and then want the column called part_desc to autofill
>>from another table.
>>
>>my current properties are so:
>>
>>GRID:
>>
>>Childorder: Tr_no
>>Linkmaster: Service
>>RecordSource: inv_parts
>>Allownewrecord: .T.
>>
>>Column 1
>>header: tr-no
>>controlsource: Service.tr-No
>>text1: service.tr_no
>>NOTE: THIS COLUMN FILLS IN CORRECTLY!
>>
>>Column 2:
>>header: Part No
>>controlsource:inv_parts.part_no
>>(user input)
>>Text1:
>>ControlSource:inv_parts.part_no
>>
>>Column3:
>>header: Part Description
>>controlsource:Parts.part_desc
>>text1:
>>controlsource:parts.part_desc
>>
>>this column does NOT fill in auto.. which is what i want it to do..
>>do i need to put a Locate function or something in the Valid or Click Property?
>>
>>Also, Which property does one set to show ONLY records that match the Tr_no in the above example??
>>
>>MMTIA