Table limit of 255 fields is too short

CanadianAccessUser

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I have a table that requires 260 fields for a specific reason. Is there any way to bypass the max number of fields allowed in a table?

Thanks,
Canadian
 
generally, this is a data analysis issue, and your data is probably not properly normalised

if not, then the normal way to overcome is to have two tables in a one to one relationship
 
If you are absolutely certain that your normalized data results in at least 1 table with more than 255 fields, then create 2 tables and join them in a 1 to 1 relationship.
However, it is rare-- very rare-- to see a well structured table to have that many fields.

OOps: I see Dave answered while I was typing.
 
Ok, with that in mind as a potential option I have another question...

My table (tblCallProcessAnalysis) has info for 4 weeks with 64 fields per week plus 4 showing Agent Name etc.. I know I can put in the fields for one week showing 68 fields total instead of all 260 and simply input a different week #, but I then need to connect this data (all 4 weeks for each agent) to another table (tblSKEP) with monthly data for the same agents. When I attempt to connect it all it, takes forever to load and the subform mentioned below comes up blank.

My goal is to have one entry form for the 64 fields for each week (frmCallProcessAnalysis), calculate the results in queries (all data for each week returns 2 values) and put them in a subform for my data entry form for the full month (frmSKEP). The full month has totally different data but requires the calculation to be completed before entering the monthly data.

Should I:
A) Continue to work through the issue with separate weekly records
B) Create two tables and link them as mentioned in replies above.

Thanks!
 
You are dealing with relational database here, so relational principles should apply.

Create tables with attributes and
normalize the tables and set up relationships based on your business rules.

What specifically is your "business issue/opportunity"?
What are the "subjects" involved?

Try stepping back and tell us in plain simple English WHAT are you trying to do -- no Access or database terms.
 
Ok, I work in a call center. I'm designing a database that allows all the coaches (supervisors) to view the stats for each agent on their team. At this point I have accomplished this including the scorecard combining stats from all parts of the database. Next step is to move something called the SKEP into the database which is currently completed in excel.

A current excel SKEP is like a report card. The coach puts in the company's expectations and the agent's actuals. In this process there is a section called Call Process Analysis where there are 7 columns (Skills & Knowledge) and 9 rows (Call Segment). This is completed by entering NI (Need Improvement) or S (Satisfactory) in each cell 4 times each month (Week 1, 64 values; week 2, 64 values, etc.) When the weekly info is completed the coach then enters data for the full month. (Recommended Action plan for improvement where required, recommended training, etc. If I can attach an excel spreadsheet after 10 posts I will....

Basically, I need to find out what areas each agent needs improvement for Skills/Knowledge gap and call segment, from data the coaches enter so they can create an action plan for the agent to actually improve and I need to automate as much of it as possible in order to complete my task.
 
File attached: example of excel SKEP (the part in question, as there is so very much more after I'm done with this section)

The darker blue area near the bottom is where the call segment that needs the most improvement populates and is where my subform is in my form. (subform that is coming up blank)
 

Attachments

  • SKEP Phase 1.jpg
    SKEP Phase 1.jpg
    103.7 KB · Views: 103
I think that you've made the mistake of trying to get Access to work like Excel. Perhaps because tables in Access, at first glance, look a bit like Excel spreadsheets. Of course, they are nothing of the sort: if they were the same, Access would just be called, er, Excel.

All this really points towards a redesign of your database and using Access as it is intended to be used, rather than trying to shoehorn matrices into tables. Or using a spreadsheet.
 
I agree with Mile-O and have to ask-- What/Why are you looking to Access for? Access and Excel are quite different and it seems you have something working in Excel. To make the same thing work in Access is like starting over with new concepts - a whole different approach.

Can be done, but requires effort and really depends on What you expect from an Access based approach.
 
I am quite aware of the differences between Access and Excel. My database doesn't need to be redesigned. I have quite the little system here built and working. The table in question however probably does need redesigning and that is exactly why I'm on here asking for help. I've simply stumbled across a requirement (SKEP) that is a little more on the complicated side than expected.

I do have a working spreadsheet, but it is not an easy task to fill the information out, not to mention the fact that each time it is saved the entire file, including all formatting, is stored again and again. The entire mission here is to get all data that a coach would require regarding Agent stats in one place. One place that is easy to use instead of a pile of Excel workbooks in multiple places on the network drive. A mission that will be complete as soon as I get this last piece put in the puzzle.

Bottom line: Adding this SKEP to my database may be a make work project, but I do what my boss asks of me and he wants the existing SKEP recreated in the database I've already built.

If it can be done then how can it be done? I'm not ready to give up and tell my boss that I can't do it....
 
Several alarm bells are ringing. I expect this table is not the only part of your database that needs redesigning.

It can be done but it won't be one table. As other have said, you need to change into a relational structure. You will have no end of problems until you do this.

The table should contain single fields for RecordPK, AgentID, SkillsKnowledgeID, CallSegmentID, RatingWeek, RatingValue, RecommendedAction. What you currently have in one record will be stored in many records.

If there is more than one recommended action then this should be taken out into another table related by RecordPK.

The data will be entered into a subform.
 
I am quite aware of the differences between Access and Excel.

Hmmm...
What do you advise wearing your Access hat?
As Galaxiom put it -- several alarm bells are ringing.
 
Alright alright...
This project may not happen then. I swear the rest of my database makes sense tho....
 
look - your database idea makes sense - and you may be able to get by without a vast number of changes

but take your basic premise that you need 4 weeks data with 60 columns each.

what happens in the 5th week? do you drop the first week? then you end up with multiple databases, one for each 4 week period. That isn't the way it should work,

so, instead of a table with 240 columns data, you could have a table with all the weekly data in it, with 60 columns, with the edition of a field for say weekending date

instead of a table with this structure (unnormalised)

week1data ... week2data ... week3data... week4data


you have a table with this normalised (or better normalised structure)

date weeklydata

some developers might want to split this latter table further - it all depends on what the data is, and how you need to manage it.

now - with this latter structure, if you want to get a total for the last 3 months, or indeed any date range - it's far easier - however if you want to compare a week with a previous week it becomes a bit harder, as you need to manipulate the data to get into a form that enables a comparison to take place.

Nevertheless this latter structure is the right way to go, as the benefits far outweigh any drawbacks.


hence the observation that a database should not be regarded as a spreadsheet, and should not be constructed as you might construct a spreadsheet.
 
Thank you so much for taking me seriously Dave.

Week 5 doesn't happen because they only do 4 weeks each month to get a sample of the agents abilities as this is a performance review and action plan.
Not only do I need to compare the weeks but I also need to build the action plan based on the 4 weeks of data. This part that we're stuck on is only step one of the SKEP process... it gets more complicated as you get further into it.

At this point my boss would prefer to keep it in the spreadsheet than to pay me for the time it would take to completely rip it apart and put it in Access. I may revisit this down the road, but I'm off the hook for now.
 
Thank you Access Blaster. I will be sure to contact you guys again if/when it comes to building this down the road. :)
 
good luck for the future

the thing is access isn't as , well, accessible as excel.

you can dive in and "hack" a spreadsheet in excel. you don't need to use any VBA code/Macros

you can't just hack a database - you need to think about it carefully, and it's virtually impossible to do much useful stuff without some VBA. In fact a lot of code is used to stop people doing stuff. Ultimately it will do more for you than excel, and it will do it quicker - but it is much harder to learn how to use properly
 
If I were CAU I would see the conversion to Access as a learning opportunity and with the pressure off tackle it in my own time, but then I guess that is why I am still dabbling over 50 years after first entering IT.

Brian
 

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