Can you Index a Text Field?

[soloprogrammer]

I'm using Microsoft Access 2002 with a SQL Server backend for an application. I have a table that has a primary key with an identity that is automatically generated. And then I have a column in that table that is a text field that I do not want the users to be able to duplicate. Is there anyway to add an index to this text field so that it can't be duplicated or is there a better way to do this?

 

[mortonsa]

Yes, you can put a unique constraint on the text field. To do this perform the following steps:

(In Enterprise Manager)
1. Right click on your table and select design table
2. Right click on any column name and select Indexes/Keys
3. Click New
4. Give your index a name and select the field that you want to put the index on from the drop down
5. You should see a check box called "Create Unique" - put a check mark in there and make sure the "constraint" radio button is selected.

Leave everything else the way it is and you should be good to go. Hope this helps.

 

[soloprogrammer]

Thank you so much. That did the trick!