Leading Zeros

[steve goodrich]

How can I get a table to show leading zeros, eg I enter 0123 and I get 123
I have it formatted as a general number.
If I format as text it will allow leading zeros. is that the correct method?
many thanks
Steve

 

[Guest]

Hi Steve,

You can apply a format at the field level, in table design view. For
example, a format of: 0000
will display the number 123 as 0123. However, the number 1000 will be
displayed as 1000, since this already has four digits.


Tom Wickerath
Microsoft Access MVP

http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/expert_contributors.html
http://www.access.qbuilt.com/html/search.html
__________________________________________

 

[steve goodrich]

Hi Tom
I looked at the format options as well, but thought I had to select from the
drop down box.
Many Thanks, It worked a treat
Steve

 

[Guest]

Hi,
what's the purpose of the values?
If you do not use them in any calculations you should probably store them as
text e.g. zip codes, phone numbers...all are normally of a text datatype.
HTH
Good luck

 

[Rick Brandt]

How can I get a table to show leading zeros, eg I enter 0123 and I
get 123 I have it formatted as a general number.
If I format as text it will allow leading zeros. is that the correct
method? many thanks
Steve

Whether you can use formatting or need to switch to a Text DataType is
deterined by answering the following questions...

Do you need values with leading zeros of different lengths?

EX: 01234, 00003456, 01

Do you need values like 00123 and 0123 to be treated by the database as
different values?

If the answer to either of these is Yes, then you need to switch to a Text
DataType. If you answer No to both questions then you can use a Number
field with a format applied OR use a Text DataType.