Creating a random field

[ITbeast]

Hello,

Does anyone know how I could generate a rather long random field that I can use as an unique identifier.

Alph-numeric would be awesome. And 15 or so digits I think would be a larg enough field

Any help is welcome!

 

[PHV]

And what about an replicate AutoNumber ?

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ181-2886

 

[Remou]

This may help:

Dim fs, x
Dim strTemp, strPass
'Modified From: [URL unfurl="true"]http://4guysfromrolla.com/webtech/tips/t011100-1.shtml[/URL]
Set fs = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")

For x = 1 To 3
  'Get just the filename part of the temp name path
  strTemp = fs.GetBaseName(fs.GetTempName)

  'Hack off the 'rad'
  strTemp = Right(strTemp, Len(strTemp) - 3)

  'To get a length of 15
  strPass = strTemp & strPass
Next
  
Debug.Print strPass
strPass = ""

Set fs = Nothing

 

[ITbeast]

Sorry, doesn't really help.

I'm using the code:
=10000+Int((100000*Rnd())+1)

Is there a way I can use similar code, but have it generate a long(15 characters or so) alpha-numeic value?

 

[ThomasLafferty]

How about this:

Sub GenerateRandom()
'*****VARIABLE DECLARATIONS*****
Dim MyHex1, MyHex2, MyHex3, myIdentifier

On Error GoTo Err_GenerateRandom

'Initialize random generator
     Randomize

MyHex1 = HEX(INT(100*Rnd()+899)
MyHex2 = HEX(INT(100*Rnd()+899)
MyHex3 = HEX(INT(100*Rnd()+899)

MyIdentifier = MyHex1 & MyHex2 & MyHex3

Msgbox "Unique identifier: " & MyIdentifier

Exit_GenerateRandom:
     Exit Sub

Err_GenerateRandom:
     Msgbox Err.Description
     Resume Exit_GenerateRandom

End Sub

Incidentally, you may have to play with the size of the seed you pass to the Rnd() function. 100 is the lower limit and 100+899 (or 999) is the upper limit. The random number this generates is then converted to its hexadecimal equivalent and should be quite random. If this doesn't work for you, let me know because I have a second plan of attack.

Hope this helps.


Tom

Born once die twice; born twice die once.

 

[ThomasLafferty]

Oops! I manually typed this, and when I checked it in Access, I discovered that I didn't close my parenthesis for the following lines:

MyHex1 = HEX(INT(100*Rnd()+899)[!])[/!]
MyHex2 = HEX(INT(100*Rnd()+899)[!])[/!]
MyHex3 = HEX(INT(100*Rnd()+899)[!])[/!]

Sorry!

Tom

Born once die twice; born twice die once.

 

[CautionMP]

ITbeast
..or if you want to do something date/time bassed:

Function DateTimeGUID() As String
DateTimeGUID = Right(String(4, 48) & Year(Now()), 4)
DateTimeGUID = DateTimeGUID & Right(String(4, 48) & Month(Now()), 2)
DateTimeGUID = DateTimeGUID & Right(String(4, 48) & Day(Now()), 2)
DateTimeGUID = DateTimeGUID & "G"
DateTimeGUID = DateTimeGUID & Right(String(4, 48) & Hour(Now()), 2)
DateTimeGUID = DateTimeGUID & Right(String(4, 48) & Minute(Now()), 2)
DateTimeGUID = DateTimeGUID & Hex(CInt(Right(String(4, 48) & Second(Now()), 2)) + 195)
End Function

[small]For the best results do what I'm thinking, not what I'm saying.[/small]
(GMT-07:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada)

 

[JoeAtWork]

As PHV suggested, you could create an Autonumber field with Field Size set to "Replication ID"? This would create values such as "{ED5C7F0D-71FD-4862-B9AC-D1D34A8DBA1B}".

 

[ITbeast]

JoeAtWork,

That's exactly the type of value that I would want in field, but I want to generate it at the form level and not the table level.

 

[ProgramError]

I've not tried this but I would put it in the default value of the forms textbox.

Ian Mayor (UK)
Program Error
Programming is 1% coding, 50% error checking and 49% sweat as your application bombs out in front of the client.