Copy autonumber to another field in same table

[alwainwright]

I need to make changes to a table already containing data. Currently the autonumber field is simply there as a primary key, but I now wish to use it for another number field (Accession No) which was previously completed manually.

As this doesn't seem possible or practical (as I need the flexibility to overwrite the number sometimes), I just want the autonumber to also appear in the Accesion No field when a new record is added (but be manually overwriteable).

I've had a play with default values and lookups, but with no success, and haven't found anything on the forum. Where am I going wrong, or is this just not possible?

Thanks for your help.
Alison.

 

[neileg]

You are suggesting that this field will have a meaning to the user. The behaviour of autonumbers means this is not a good idea. It is preferable to create your own incrementing number based on DMax(). Do a search in these forums for more info.