I am using Access97 and have created an employee database. I am having trouble creating a method in which to get a new number for an employee and open a form in add mode with the new number already populated and then remove that number from the list of available numbers. This is how I currently do it. 1) Open switchboard and select Get New Employee ID. 2) Select from which group of employees I need a number (e.g Finance =1000-1999 HR= 2000 to 2999, IRM= 3000-3999, etc.) This brings up a list (Report based on a query) of available numbers for that range. I then write down the first number, close the report, go to the Available numbers table and delete the number manually, Then open up the Employee form and put in the number manually. I would rather have an option of when I click on the correct group of employees that a function would grab the first number from the selected query and then open the Employees form with the employee number populated and remove that number from the available nuumbers table. I have no problem going the other way. When I check the removal box and then select the purge button the employee gets removed from the active employees, their data transferred to the removed employees table and then their number appended to the available numbers table. I just don't know enough yet to figure out how to grab the first item in a query and use that item in the form I want to use and then delete that number from the other table. Sorry for writing a book. Thanks.