auto populate information from another table

so how do i fix it so that it is?  

By default it would be an editable field. I don't know why it shows as a read-only field on the form. Is the Id Number field shown on the form a formula field by any chance? Also, try to add the child record by clicking on the "Add Winner Log" field on the customer table and see what happens.

it says "numeric (reference) on the gaming log form.  
and if I go from the add winner log from the customer table, it still will not allow me to enter the id number

maybe i made the "relationship" wrong?... I have the reference field being the ID number... should it be something different?  When I try to change the type of field for ID number, it will not allow me to change it... it says it will affect the relationship.

Can you post the screenshot of the field definition of the ID Number field on the child table?

sure.  

Melanie, that is weird.  Is there any chance that the ID Number field on the form is set to "Read Only" on  the form properties?

it is not... 

It is now allowing me to somewhat "edit" the field, but it is from a dropdown, not just a keyed in entry...  any thoughts?

Maybe I need to just delete the relationship and start from scratch... if I was to do that, could you walk me thru exactly how to set up the relationships?  

I think I have figured out the problem... just not sure how to fix it.  

The ID number box is, by default, a "record picker".  While I have been able to find how to change how the "records" are displayed, I would like to change this from having to pick from a dropdown list, to just manually entering the number.  There will end up being way too many customer ID numbers to scroll thru to find the write one for the game winnings log... if that makes sense.  

Reference fields are always a dropdown or a popup. You can't change it to a normal data entry field where you can type in a value.