How to fill an entire column with a value. Simple?

[The Chairman]

Hi,

Simple question here from a newbie to Access:

I want to highlight a column and do a mass fill of all the records that are
selected. Additionally, I have a query applied to the table. It's a simple
query that allows me to edit the records when it is applied.

I am just looking for a simple way to do it, like in Excel when you just
highlight that column and paste and it fills the whole column. I just need
to do it once, not set up an expression that will do it automatically based
on other criteria.

Thanks!

Ryan

 

[PC Datasheet]

Use an update query that includes the column you want to fill and if
necessary another column that limits the query results to the records you
want to fill.

 

[John Vinson]

Hi,

Simple question here from a newbie to Access:

I want to highlight a column and do a mass fill of all the records that are
selected. Additionally, I have a query applied to the table. It's a simple
query that allows me to edit the records when it is applied.

I am just looking for a simple way to do it, like in Excel when you just
highlight that column and paste and it fills the whole column. I just need
to do it once, not set up an expression that will do it automatically based
on other criteria.

Thanks!

Ryan

Excel's a spreadsheet. Access is a relational database. What's
appropriate for one isn't necessarily appropriate for the other!

An Update query is the appropriate tool for this purpose. If you want
to do it to all of the records in the table, or in an existing select
query, just make the query an Update query, set the Update To line
under the field to the desired value, and run the query.

John W. Vinson[MVP]

 

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[Joseph Meehan]

Hi,

Simple question here from a newbie to Access:

I want to highlight a column and do a mass fill of all the records
that are selected. Additionally, I have a query applied to the table.
It's a simple query that allows me to edit the records when it is
applied.

I am just looking for a simple way to do it, like in Excel when you
just highlight that column and paste and it fills the whole column. I
just need to do it once, not set up an expression that will do it
automatically based on other criteria.

Thanks!

Ryan

I wonder if you really want to do that.

Access is not a spreadsheet. If you are going to fill all those FIELDS
(Access has fields not columns, an important difference) with the same
value, then likely you should not do it. You would just add the value in a
query, report or form as needed rather than storing all that repeated data.

If you want all existing records to have that value, but future records
may be different, then you could use an update query and you should also
consider splitting the table to improve normalization.

 

[The Chairman]

I wonder if you really want to do that.

Access is not a spreadsheet. If you are going to fill all those
FIELDS
(Access has fields not columns, an important difference) with the same
value, then likely you should not do it. You would just add the value
in a query, report or form as needed rather than storing all that
repeated data.

If you want all existing records to have that value, but future
records
may be different, then you could use an update query and you should
also consider splitting the table to improve normalization.

Thanks to all who answered.

Basically, this is just a workaround to get the mailing list ready for a
mailing house. However, the clients want to send out 4 different promo
pieces based on a field stored in a table outside of the mailing list
table, and since I am not well versed in SQL or "Access Language", this
is the easiest way to do it that I can think of. The entire version of
the database that I am using will be deleted after this mailing.

Thanks again.

 

[Guest]

It is possible to paste in tables, although I agree with the others, you
should use a query.

Type the value in the first cell, highlight the whole cell so that the
colour inverses (Not the text) Right click copy (You will see a + appear when
the cell is ready for highlight)

Highlight the next cell and right click paste.

Hightlight both cells now, right click copy

Highlight two empty cells right click paste

Highlight all four cells right click copy

Highlight four more cells, Right click paste

etc etc not easy and not recommended but eventually you'll be copying and
pasting more and more cells each time.

 

[xyxy]

There is very easy way: hide all columns except the one you need to fill, press find and replace, replace "" (stays for blank, but could be any other value or text, if the fields in the column are not blank)), and replace it with desired text or value... Then unhide all hidden columns. Done in 5 sec...