Hi Scott,
As long as you use only a select query (the default query type), the mask will apply only to the
recordset produced by running the query. It will not change the underlying data in the table. You
would have to convert the select query into an update query, and enter the expression indicated
below on the "Update To" row in the QBE (Query by Example) grid. As long as you don't do that,
you needn't worry that this will make any changes to the data in your table. If you use the query
as a source of data for your merge, the SSN should be masked when it is merged into your letter.
Can you give me a little more instruction on the Right function?
Well, I'll let you look it up for yourself. You don't mention which version of Access that you
are using, and the location is a little different in the last few versions. Open an existing
module (or create a new one, if required). Click on Help > Microsoft Visual Basic Help. Select
the Contents tab.
In Access 2002, select:
Visual Basic Language Reference followed by
Functions followed by
Q-Z
You should see the Right function in the resulting list. For other versions of Access, the path
is similar, but not exactly the same. (I'm not sure about Access 2003, since I'm not using this
version).
Tom
________________________________
Thanks for the reply, Tom. This is actually a simple database I use at work
for the main purpose of mailing out mass letters. However, I did not want to
mask the SSN in the database it self, but just mask it when it is merged to
the letter. Can you give me a little more instruction on the Right function?
Does this apply to the data in the database, or once it is mereged to the
letter?
Thanks again!
________________________________
Hi Scott,
Investigate the use of the Right function in Access. You can use this in a query, which is used
as the source of data for your mail merge. Something like this:
SSN: "*** ** " & Right([SSNNumber],4)
where SSNNumber is the name of the field.
The best solution is to simply eliminate the social security number from your database, if at all
possible. Access databases are not the most secure form of storing such sensitive information.
Tom
________________________________
I am trying to edit a form letter I created to "mask" all but the last 4
digits of a social security number when I merge info to it from an access
database. Is this possible?
Thanks!
