Autonumber

[Emine]

Is there a way I can have my auto number in my table to start from number 1?
I already have data in the table. I thought that compacting and repair would
start it from #1, but it did not do that. I need my auto number to match up
with my Student ID. Could this be done? If so can some please tell me how I
can do it?

 

[BruceM]

You cannot count on autonumber matching the Student ID, but in any case if
there is already data in that field you cannot start at 1. If you describe
why you need the number to match the Student ID it may be possible to
suggest a solution.

 

[Emine]

Thanks Bruce. That is what I thought. Its not that important anyways. Next
time I will create the table myself to ensure that the autonumber starts at
#1. Just so that you know. We imported an Excel spreadsheet several times
without doing the compacting and repair prior to the export.

Thanks anyways, you guys are great! I wouldn't know what to do without the
help of this forum. I've built my whole database with the questions and
solutions of this forum.

 

[BruceM]

The autonumber is internal use by Access. It should not matter at what
number it starts, and it must not matter that there are gaps in the
sequence, which there will surely be. You could make an argument for
exposing autonumber to the user in a limited situation such as a calls
database ("use the reference number 12658 to refer to this call in future
communications"), but this is not one of those cases. Most of the time you
are asking for trouble if you count on autonumber being a particular value.