Add Field to Field List in Existing Template

[Jonathan]

Good evening! I am brand new to Access 2003, and have failed to find the answer to my question using all the usual methods (Trial and Error, Help, Google, Searching forums, etc.).

In short: How can I add a newly-defined field to an existing template?

I know that seems absurdly basic, and apologize if it is right in front of my eyes, but I cannot figure it out.

I am able to add a copy of an existing field, but cannot for the life of me determine how to create a new field - either straight to the record or to the list.

We have a database of 291 members with 60+ fields for each record. I need to import that database either from the FileMaker original or an Excel version, and need more uniquely-defined fields than the template comes with - in this case the "Addresses" template. (Items such as "Member Since," "Professional Orgs," "Contributions to," each of which needs to be indexed and searchable.) I would really like to not have to build a whole new database from scratch.

Thanks in advance....

 

[John Big Booty]

Have you tried opening the table in design view? You should be able to add whatever fields you need to the table that way.

As an aside is you data normalised?

 

[Jonathan]

Thanks John...

I have been trying in Design view. I can add fields from the list into the layout based on existing fields ... but I am unable to create new fields in the list itself, with new criteria.

Thanks also for the normalization link; unfortunately, that is way over my head.

Cheers

 

[John Big Booty]

Firstly Normalisation is a corner stone of good DB design, and therefore operation. You will need to come to grips with the concept, if you wish to create an efficient DB.

Secondly I suspect that you are approaching this from an Excel perspective. Access tables do not behave or look like Excel worksheets, so forget everything you know about setting up an Excel solution. You can not set up an Access table with X rows. The rows will appear as data is added into the table.

Have a look at the attached simple DB. Pull it apart and see how it works, hopefully it will help you grasp normalisation.

 

[Jonathan]

Thanks again. In playing around some more today, I have figured out how to create and define fields and also create a physical design. It was as much a problem of terminology.

I prefer to dive in and just use/play in an application, and learn on the fly ... sometimes, one needs to do more dedicated study. (Plus, I'm working on a networked version, so I did not have any manuals available.)

I understand the concept of normalization - just not the nuts and bolts. I am not really a designer; I'm just the default person in our small team who is vaguely computer savvy and am trying to move an existing database from FileMaker into a more accessible MS app. I may have to turn it over to IT...

 

[John Big Booty]

Good luck and have fun

 

[sbanks]

Hello Jonathan,

I suspect I am having the same problem you did. I cannot figure out how to add a new field to an existing field list. Did you ever figure this out?


Thanks,
Sean