Change Table Properties

[Guest]

Hi

I run W2K and Access2K

I have a table that has the property "Number" allocated to it. I would like
to change this to the property "Text". When I attempt to do this I get an
error message telling me that it is part of one or more relationship and that
I must delete these before I can change it. The problem is that I dont have
any relationships so I am at a loss as to how this is possible and how I can
change it. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

John

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

It isn't a lookup field by any chance is it? Is it part of an index?

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your prompt response Douglas, and yes it does look at another table.

 

[John Vinson]

Hi

I run W2K and Access2K

I have a table that has the property "Number" allocated to it. I would like
to change this to the property "Text".

Ummmm... I presume that you have a field in a table that is of Number
datatype. Tables have multiple fields, typically; the fields have
datatypes, but tables don't.

When I attempt to do this I get an
error message telling me that it is part of one or more relationship and that
I must delete these before I can change it. The problem is that I dont have
any relationships so I am at a loss as to how this is possible and how I can
change it. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Have you fallen victim to the misdesigned, misguided Lookup Field?

Putting a Lookup Field in your table will create a concealed numeric
value, and a concealed relationship to the lookup table. You should be
able to reveal it by opening the Relationships window and selecting
the View All icon. You can then select the join line (not the table
icon!) and press the Delete key.

Note that when you change the datatype of the field, it will contain a
text string like "12" or "3" rather than the looked-up name if it's
indeed a lookup field.

John W. Vinson[MVP]

 

[Guest]

I went to Relationships and selected "Show All" (I am assuming this is the
same as "View All" as I cant find "View All" anywhere) When I select "Show
All" I get the query and the table boxes appear but there is no line joining
them for me to delete?

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

Then that's where the relationship comes from (and that's why it's a Number:
because that's the Primary Key of the table to which it's linked)

Most of us dislike the use of Lookup FIelds, for reasons like this. See
http://www.mvps.org/access/lookupfields.htm