Field Properties

[joniefr]

I'm a fairly new user, so please forgive me if I'm missing something obvious...
I have two fields in my table that I made memo fields. The problem is, when a user is inputting data, via the form, it acts like a regular text field and doesn't accept more than 255 characters.

 

[montrose]

joniefr,

Go back to your table design and check that those two fields are definitely marked as memo. It sounds like they may be text, because the max you can enter for a text field is 255! Write back if you've verified that and we'll go from there. Montrose Learn what you can and share what you know.

 

[joniefr]

I double checked... the data type is definitely MEMO.
I am at such a loss..

 

[montrose]

joniefr,

Which version of Access are you using?

Have you applied any formatting to this memo field in your form or table? If you have, Access '97 will treat it as a text field and truncate it at 255 characters-that's all that will be visible.

I'd check that out next. HTH, Montrose Learn what you can and share what you know.

 

[joniefr]

First, thank you for answering me!!! I am grateful.
Yes, I am using Access '97. The only formatting I did was to put a > so that text shows as caps.
Are you saying that because it's Access '97, we're limited to 255 characters? I did a query, and all verbage does not show there either (stops at 255). This particular database is used by 3 hospitals to trend information and the explanation/comments field is so valuable to us....

 

[montrose]

joniefr,

"The only formatting I did was to put a > so that text shows as caps." That's what is doing it! Got to Microsoft Support:

http://support.microsoft.com/

Search for Access, and type in the words, memo field. This is the article: "Formatted Memo Truncates Data at 255 Characters (Q103998)". Apparently it's a bug in '97.
Get rid of > and you should have your whole memo field back! Hope that solves it for you, Montrose Learn what you can and share what you know.

 

[Guest_imported]

montrose,
It worked!!! A million Thank You's!!! I would have never figured it out on my own. Thank you for taking the time to help me!
Have a great weekend!
jonie.

 

[montrose]

jonie, You're welcome. You said in your original post, "I'm a fairly new user, so please forgive me if I'm missing something obvious..." Don't worry about missing the obvious-everyone does it sometime. The best thing is to use your resources, like checking here on Tek-Tips, especially the FAQS or using the search on here. I learn so much from doing that-kind of like my 'daily Access lesson'! Also, dig through Microsoft support. It can't hurt, and you'll just keep learnin'..... Glad to help.
Learn what you can and share what you know.