Calculated field containing only the first letter of another field

[Kysteratwork]

Hi all,

Is it possible to create a calculated field in a table that contains part of another field:

i.e.:

Fields are: FirstName and LastName and I want to create another field which is the first letter of the FirstName, followed by a '.'

How would I do that? Do have have to create a query for that? If so, what would the SQL look like?

Thank you for any indication you can provide me with

Kysteratwork

 

[PHV]

Take a look at the Left function and at the & operator.

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ222-2244

 

[Kysteratwork]

In the table or in a query?

Kysteratwork

 

[lespaul]

in a query:

SELECT left(firstname, 1) & ". " & Lastname from tablename


Leslie

 

[Kysteratwork]

I understand.
Thank you very much

Kysteratwork

 

[lespaul]

why would you want to store the same data twice in the same table?

This technically breaks normalization rules:

FirstName FirstInitial LastName
Leslie L Andrews

In a query I can always get the first initial without having to store it.

Leslie

 

[Kysteratwork]

I have now done it in a query and it works beautifully.

Thank you all!

Kysteratwork