Input form for existing populated spreadsheet?

[Z300M]

I have a LO (ver. 5.2) spreadsheet in which I have been maintaining our church’s accounts, and I am now trying to create an input form to simplify entry of new records.

I have gone to Data → Form when the row with the column names is selected and I see all the fields I need in the form, but when I try to enter data it enters into the row immediately below the one with the headings. If I move to the first empty row, which is where I want to enter new data, Data → Form shows me just one field, Date. The Form does not seem to exist as a separate entity that can be edited: there is not even a Save button.

Is the only way to use a Form to start with a spreadsheet that contains no data?

[Ratslinger]

Select the first field in any row and open the form - example:

Notice two things. Above the New button is the record currently displayed - 1 of 499 in the example. Also note the vertical slider between the data and the buttons. If you slide the slider bar all the way to the bottom it will look like:

Now above the New button is New Record. An entry at this point will place the new record at the end.

[Ratslinger]

Select the first field in any row and open the form - example:

Notice two things. Above the New button is the record currently displayed - 1 of 499 in the example. Also note the vertical slider between the data and the buttons. If you slide the slider bar all the way to the bottom it will look like:

Now above the New button is New Record. An entry at this point will place the new record at the end.

[Z300M]

The problem there is that the Form stops listing column names at the first column with no data in that cell. E.g., My first few columns are Date, Check#, Description, Building Expenses, Liturgical Requisites,… If that row records a donation, Check# is blank, and the only field shown is Date. No row will have more than one Debit column filled in, so even if I am recording a check for Liturgical Requisites, Building Expenses will be blank, and the Form will not display Liturgical Requisites.

[Z300M]

Further, I was hoping that I could have a form with a drop-down list of contributors’ names from which to select, rather than having to type each one in every time, and a popup calendar from which to select a date.

[Ratslinger]

As for Data->Form, it does have issues and shortcomings. I was able to get around the problem by selecting the entire table but this is not practical since you must do this each time.

With your additional requests, it seems more appropriate for this to be done in Base as a simple database with a form containing a list box ( for contributor selection) and date entry with optional calendar selection.