ACC2000: Field Size for Text in Table Is Variable Length (209703)
The information in this article applies to:
This article was previously published under Q209703 Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.
This article applies only to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb).
SUMMARY
Microsoft Access sets the field length of a Text field to the length of
the entered text if the text entered is shorter than the maximum field
size.
MORE INFORMATION
When you set the FieldSize property of a table in Design view, you are setting the maximum length for the field. If the text entered into that field is shorter than the specified maximum length, the length of that field equals the length of the text that has been entered. This means that whether you design a text column as 20 characters or 255 characters, it takes up only the amount needed to store the actual data entered in that field.
The difference between specifying 20 or 255 characters is that the former
limits you to entering 20 characters while the latter allows you to enter up to 255 characters.
REFERENCESFor more information about the FieldSize property, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type fieldsize property in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 6/29/2004 |
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| Keywords: | kbhowto kbinfo kbusage KB209703 |
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