Custom Primary Key in Microsoft Access

[Guest_imported]

Hi!

I was wondering if anyone of you guys knew how to create a custom primary key in access. Currently I am using an autonumber field as my primary key. I would like to have the autonumber field start at a higher value (e.g 1000). Also, is there any way to create a PrimaryKey that is alpha-numeric (e.g A100B39)?

I would greatly appreciate any help

Thanks!

Kimberly

 

[Silvano]

Using auto-number as your promary key is maybe the safest way to ensure that the primary key field will have unique value;

In situations where you can't guarantee the uniqueness of any single field, you may be able to designate two or more fields as the primary key.
For example, an Order Details table can relate the Orders and Products tables. Its primary key consists of two fields: OrderID and ProductID. The Order Details table can list many products and many orders, but each product can only be listed once per order, so combining the OrderID and ProductID fields produces an appropriate primary key.

Combining two fields as primary key (one text, another autonumber field value), you can get desired alpha-numeric key

 

[calista]

CF has a function called CreateUUID which returns a 35 digit hexidecimal number, and I use it to create a primary key. Not absolutly foolproof, but it works for me. Sylvano is right about using combimation keys. I have some of those, too. BTW, I usually do something like the following to create a primary key:

<cfset newid = #CreateUUID()#>

INSERT INTO Table
(PrimaryKey)
VALUES
('#newid#')

You could use the function directly in the insert, but I usually do it this way, so I can reference the entry I just created further down the page. Calista :-X
Jedi Knight,
Champion of the Force