I would like a field that begins as 0000 and increases incrementally 0001, 0002, 0003 etc. I have heard that I need a query to do this.

Also, what if I don't want to start at 0000 but start at some other number, e.g. 2000 or 1000.

Use an Autonumber field and in the table set the Format property to: 0000. To start at another number search help for Autonumber and then "Change the starting value...."