Numbers from a table that have a parenthesis in them

[pellet]

Hi everyone,

I would like to thank you all for your knowledge and effort in helping not only me but others on this site as well. Without everyone here, this site would not be what it is today.

My question is, I am linking several databases together and attempting to pull data out of one column in the table. The number looks something like this: 123.45(1)(a) or something to that effect. I can pull the data from the column, but what I get when I write the data is 123.451a and I can't seem to copy and paste the parenthesis even though they (the parenthesis) show up on the table that I am copying from.

I have tried setting the table to text and memo in an attempt to get the "raw" data, but for some reason, the parenthesis elude me.

Any ideas to look at or try are greatly appreciated. I am sure it is something simple that I have overlooked, but after working at it for several hours, my brain is fried.

Thank you all in advance.
Pellet

 

[dhookom]

Does the field you are copying from have an Input Mask that adds the ()s?

Duane
Hook'D on Access
MS Access MVP

 

[pellet]

Hi dhookom,

I apologize but I don't know what you mean in your post above. The field I am copying the data from shows the 123.45(1)(a) or whatever - but when the data gets copied over to the other program I am copying it to, it leaves out all the (). I am basically copying the field from the Access Database location to another program - even if I attempt to copy the data into Notepad I do not get the parenthesis.

I hope that helps. Thanks for your reply.

Pellet

 

[dhookom]

Whatever you don't understand from my post, just press [F1] and type in the word or words. I expect you don't understand Input Mask. If you can't find it in Help then try Google.

Either of these options should take much less time than posting another question here where someone needs to answer.

If you do need assistance after checking these references then we are more than glad to help.


Duane
Hook'D on Access
MS Access MVP

 

[pellet]

Sorry dhookom, I should have clarified.

I do understand Input Mask - what I didn't understand is your comment about the (). I don't have any filters on the data - and in fact I formatted it as "" to display everything as literal characters from the table. I would put a filter on it if all the numbers and parenthesis matched a certain pattern but unfortunately they don't. Some may have 3 numbers, a period, then 2 anywhere from 2 to 4 numbers after the period and then one to two numbers inside the parenthesis, with possible multiple parenthesis present in the same number, so I cannot create a format that is consistent since my numbers aren't.

Again, my apologies for not clarifying the first time.

 

[jrbarnett]

If those are literal characters from the table, then it must be stored as text data in the field.
You say you have tried setting the "table" to text - the data format is defined on a per field not per table basis.

In any case, it is the target field that needs to be set to allow the data from the source, not vice versa.

John

 

[pellet]

Thanks for your reply John. I agree with you 100%. I can go into the table, copy the data in question and paste it into Notepad without a problem. If I allow that same data to be written into Notepad without my manual intervention of copy and paste, it seems to drop the parenthesis - and that's what I can't figure out how to fix.

 

[dhookom]

Pellet,
If you understood Input Masks then why didn't you just state something like:
"There is nothing in the Input Mask properties on either the table or the text box on the form."

Typically an input mask displays characters that might not actually be stored in the table.

Duane
Hook'D on Access
MS Access MVP

 

[pellet]

Hi dhookom,

I was confused about using Input Mask when retrieving data from the database and copying it to Notepad. The data I need is displayed correctly in the database table, it just doesn't copy correctly to my external program or Notepad for that matter.

What I was getting at in one of my posts above as far as filtering goes, if the data format was identical (meaning the numbers, parenthesis, etc) were in the same spot everytime, then I would use Right and Left to manually create the "(" and ")" - unfortunately the data formats are different and I don't have that option.

Again, the clarification was my error and I apologize.