Populate column with 1 value

[Astello]

Is there a quick trick for populating a blank column with the same
value all the way down?

Thanks!

 

[Rick B]

Are you using Access or Excel? Using the term "column" makes me think you
are using Excel (or trying to use Access to create a spreadsheet).

Access is a relational database. Entering data is typically done in a form,
not directly in the table. If a field contains the same data "all the way
down" then it typically does not need to be stored in a properly-designed
relational database.

Post back with specifically what you are storing and perhaps we can help you
normalize your data.

 

[Astello]

Using Access, I have 36 large files that were pulled from another
database (not Access) and I need to insert the same zip code into each
record. So for 200k entries, they all need to have a zip code field,
and this zip code needs to be the same for all entries. A new column
titled "Origin Zip" with the same zip "all the way down". I'm using
Access because the files are too big for Excel.

 

[Astello]

I tried to run an Update Query, but it's not reading what I put in the
"Update To:" field
Is there a certain format, expression, etc. you have to use in this
field? It's pulling the right entries to update, but nothing is
getting updated.

 

[Astello]

Nevermind, I figured it out. Update Query works great for what I need
to do.

 

[Rick B]

Ah. I would agree with the update query. Are you updating a number field
or a text field? I think ZIPs are normally stored as text so that leading
zeros don't get dropped and many non-US ZIPs contain letters.

If you are writing to a text field, put your update to as...

"90210"

or whatever it is.

Hope that helps.