Exporting Data

[AnnC]

I often have to export data from a table to a .csv (text) format. It is very important that the data remains in the right order. I even add an indexed auto number to ensure this happens. Sometimes, but not always, the data gets out of order. Not completely scrambled but chunks of records just in the wrong place.

Has anyone come across this before or got any idea what causes it?

 

[KenHigg]

Have you tried exporting a query result that has the records sorted in the proper order instead of exporting the table?

 

[boblarson]

Ken touched on it - a table is not stored in any meaningful order within Access (see posts by Pat Hartman regarding this). So, you need a query to be able to specify the order.

A common misconception is that you can access the last record added by opening the table and going to the bottom. Even with an Primary Key as an Autonumber, this is not necessarily going to happen. It CAN occur and with enough frequency that people will start to assume that it is stored that way, but it really isn't.

 

[AnnC]

Thank you both. Just tested your theory and you're absolutely right.

You have just completey changed my understanding of how Access works!!

 

[KenHigg]

Glad we could help - And welcome to the forum