Change Data Type from numeric to text

[Shazz]

Hi, Can anyone help me I have a database that has a lot of data in it, I have one field which is set to numeric and obviously only has numbers in it, I need to change it to text so that I can start adding Letters to the field, I have absorlutely no idea what I need to do.

Can anyone pleeeese helpo me.

Shazz

 

[Beetle]

Just as a precaution make a backup copy of your database, then;

1) Open the table in design view.
2) Select the field in quesion.
3) Change the Data Type from Number to Text.
4) Save and close the table design view.

 

[Shazz]

I have tried that but when i try and open the form it come up with "Data Typr Mismatch in Criteria Expression"

Any suggestions?

Shazz

 

[boblarson]

I have tried that but when i try and open the form it come up with "Data Typr Mismatch in Criteria Expression"

Any suggestions?

Shazz

Yes, because you not only have to change the field's datatype in the table but if you are referring to it anywhere in the form, including code, it would need to be referred to now as a text field (which depending on what you have could require something to be surrounded by quotes).

And, if you had that field linked to a field in another table, then that other table's field would either need to be changed or you wouldn't link to it anymore.

 

[Beetle]

It sounds like the record source of your form is a query, based on that table, that is using criteria on that field. Can you post the SQL of your forms record source?

If you're not sure how to do this post back.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

so somewhere you are using that field in a way that assumes it to be a number. Where does the error handler take you ...?

 

[Shazz]

Your all talking gobledygook to me, I am very new to this, I have a subform linked to another form, I have changed the numeric field to text but i am getting this error and it will not allow me to open the form.

Shazz

 

[gemma-the-husky]

ok - is your form based on a query. if so, try and open the query directly. it may not open because of the change you have made.