Changing key from SS# to auto number

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G

Guest

I do not use Soc Sec numbers any more and want to replace it with an auto
number as my primary key. In my table, I did not have the dashes in the SS#
saved, just the number. So, I was wondering if I changed it to auto number,
would it mess up all of the records that are kept already? How would auto
number act if it came across a number that is already in the table? For
example, when just randomly putting numbers in, I might have put 0000000001
as one of the numbers. When I pick auto number, will it start with "1" and
how might that interfear with "000000001" that is already in there? Can I
define the auto number to have 9 numerial placements to keep the format of
previous numbers?

Thanks for your advice!
Jason
 
Jason said:
I do not use Soc Sec numbers any more and want to replace it with an auto
number as my primary key. In my table, I did not have the dashes in the SS#
saved, just the number. So, I was wondering if I changed it to auto number,
would it mess up all of the records that are kept already? How would auto
number act if it came across a number that is already in the table? For
example, when just randomly putting numbers in, I might have put 0000000001
as one of the numbers. When I pick auto number, will it start with "1" and
how might that interfear with "000000001" that is already in there? Can I
define the auto number to have 9 numerial placements to keep the format of
previous numbers?

Thanks for your advice!
Jason
Click to expand...
 
Lots of work. First backup the database before you do anything!!

You will need to add another field that is autonumber. Add a new field to
all of your tables that you have set relationships to the SS# and are used in
queries joined with the SS#.
Do an update on all the tables to update the new field with the number in
the autonumber field.
Delete any relationships using SS# and rebuild using the autonumber.
Revise any queries that were joined on the SS# to be joined on the autonumber.
 
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