Database Reference
In-Depth Information
The Field Size property of AutoNumber fields can be set to either Long Integer (the default)
or Replication ID.
By setting the Field Size property to the setting that allows the largest valid entry, you
prevent the entry of invalid values. Access rejects any value that is below or above the
size limits of the field when you try to move out of the field.
SEE ALSO
For more information about field sizes, search for
Introduction to data types and
ield properties
on the Office.com website.
In this exercise, you'll change the Field Size property for two fields to examine the impact
on data already in the table and on new data that you enter.
SET UP
You need the GardenCompany06 database you worked with in the preced-
ing exercise to complete this exercise. If necessary, open the database. Then display the
FieldTest table in Datasheet view, and follow the steps.
1
Review the field values in the only record in the
FieldTest
table, and then switch to
Design
view.
2
Click anywhere in the
fShortText
row, and then in the
Field Properties
area, change
the
Field Size
property from
255
to
18
to restrict the number of characters to that
maximum.
3
Click anywhere in the
fNumber
row, click anywhere in the
Field Size
property, click
the arrow that appears, and then in the list, click
Byte
to restrict the number of
characters to the range 0 through 255 (inclusive).
4
Switch to
Datasheet
view, and click
Yes
when prompted to save the table. Access
displays a warning that some data might be lost.
The table contains data that doesn't fit the new property settings.