Number DataType Field - Default Properties (?)

[croy]

When I set up a new table and include a Number field, the
Field Size defaults to "Long Integer", Decimal Places is
"Auto", and Default Value is 0.

When a field such as this is used as a Foreign Key field, I
almost always delete the 0 from the DefaultValue setting
(the only times that I don't, are the times I forget...).

And I've often wondered if there is any reason to change the
DecimalPlaces to 0. "Auto" gives me the impression that
some extra effort may be placed on the system in trying to
determine what to display (and save?).

Would that fall into the category of mindless tweaking?

What do all y'all think about that?

 

[Allen Browne]

You are not alone in thinking that the default of zero is highly
undesirable - especially for foreign key fields! Microsoft has finally heard
us, and Access 2007 does not insert this default value. AFAIK, there's no
way to change the behavior of previous versions though.

Changing DecimalPlaces from Auto is probably meaningless. I haven't tested,
but I seriously doubt it will make any performance difference.

 

[croy]

You are not alone in thinking that the default of zero is highly
undesirable - especially for foreign key fields! Microsoft has finally heard
us, and Access 2007 does not insert this default value. AFAIK, there's no
way to change the behavior of previous versions though.

Changing DecimalPlaces from Auto is probably meaningless. I haven't tested,
but I seriously doubt it will make any performance difference.

Thanks Allen -- for this, and for all the wonderful help on
your web pages (a little like the radio commentator, Paul
Harvey's, "...and now you know the *rest* of the story!".