Databases and Access by: bs0d

Page: 3 of 6 (View All)

FIELD PROPERTIES:

FIELD SIZE :

This indicates the length of the field. If the field is a TEXT field, you can set the field size. For the other data types, the field size is set for you. For Text fields, the default length is 50 positions. You can have a maximum of 255 characters in a text field.

FORMAT

This indicates how you want the information to appear when it is displayed or printed. The Format property affects only how the data is displayed, not how it is stored in the table.

INPUT MASK

The input mask defines a standard pattern for determining how data is entered into a field. The input mask allows you to set up formats for Social Security Numbers, Telephone Numbers and Zip Codes. The input mask can be applied to fields with data types of text, number, data/type and currency.

CAPTION

The caption is the name that appears in the field headings at the top of the table. The default is the field name as you typed it into the structure. The caption only refers to what is displayed in the field heading at the top of the table in datasheet view, and does not change the name of the field as it is stored internally in the structure of a table.

SWITCHING BETWEEN OBJECT VIEWS

To switch between Datasheet View and Design View, click on the View Button. In order for this to work, you actually have to either be in the records (Datasheet View) and in the design (Design View).

DELETING A FIELD

1. Click on the yellow tab next the field to highlight the field
2. Click on EDIT
3. and then DELETE
4. and YES to confirm the delete.

INSERTING A FIELD

1. Click on the yellow tab next to the field to highlight the field where you want to insert a new field
2. Click on INSERT
3. and then ROW

MOVING A FIELD TO ANOTHER LOCATION

1. Click on the yellow tab of the field you want to move,
2. Position the mouse pointer so the arrow is pointing up and to the left,
3. Press down and drag the field to the desired location and release.

CHANGING THE COLUMN WIDTH IN DATASHEET VIEW

1. Go up to the field headings and position the mouse pointer on the line to the right of the field that you want to change. A double-arrow should appear. From there, click the left mouse button and drag either to the left or right. Dragging to the left will make the column narrower. Dragging to the right will make the column wider.
2. Double-click on the line to the right of the column. This will set the width to the longest item including the field heading.