Scary auto-incrementing number field

[Curmudgeon]

We have a numeric field on a form with field size property set to
"Byte" and default value set to 0. We frequently enter numbers in that
field in datasheet view. Alarmingly, we find that numbers are
automatically appearing in the field based on the new numbers entered
immediately above.

For example, in a column, if we overtype the 0 with 1, then down arrow
to the cell below and overtype the 0 with 2, we find that a down arrow
to the cell below results in a value of 3. It also works with the
series 2 and 4, producing 6.

How do we turn off this data entry feature, which I'm sure saves others
lots of time but gets us into a load of trouble.

Once again ladies and gentlemen, reading your wisdom is a fun part of
the day. Thanks.

 

[Dirk Goldgar]

We have a numeric field on a form with field size property set to
"Byte" and default value set to 0. We frequently enter numbers in
that field in datasheet view. Alarmingly, we find that numbers are
automatically appearing in the field based on the new numbers entered
immediately above.

For example, in a column, if we overtype the 0 with 1, then down arrow
to the cell below and overtype the 0 with 2, we find that a down arrow
to the cell below results in a value of 3. It also works with the
series 2 and 4, producing 6.

How do we turn off this data entry feature, which I'm sure saves
others lots of time but gets us into a load of trouble.

Once again ladies and gentlemen, reading your wisdom is a fun part of
the day. Thanks.

I'm sorry to see that there is no way to turn off this so-called
"feature", so long as you are using datasheet view. It makes sense for
Excel, I suppose, but not for a properly normalized database. The only
answer is to use continuous forms instead of datasheets. You can make
the form look a lot like a datasheet if you want to.

 

[Joseph Meehan]

We have a numeric field on a form with field size property set to
"Byte" and default value set to 0. We frequently enter numbers in
that field in datasheet view. Alarmingly, we find that numbers are
automatically appearing in the field based on the new numbers entered
immediately above.

For example, in a column, if we overtype the 0 with 1, then down arrow
to the cell below and overtype the 0 with 2, we find that a down arrow
to the cell below results in a value of 3. It also works with the
series 2 and 4, producing 6.

How do we turn off this data entry feature, which I'm sure saves
others lots of time but gets us into a load of trouble.

Once again ladies and gentlemen, reading your wisdom is a fun part of
the day. Thanks.

I seem to recall that this is they was it works when ......

The "when" is the part I can't remember for sure. I seem to remember it
being when you are entering directly in the table, but maybe it is a query.
If no one else comes along with the correct answer, try changing where you
are entering the data.

 

[John Vinson]

We have a numeric field on a form with field size property set to
"Byte" and default value set to 0. We frequently enter numbers in that
field in datasheet view. Alarmingly, we find that numbers are
automatically appearing in the field based on the new numbers entered
immediately above.

This is an incredibly obnoxious misfeature introduced with A2000,
apparently by someone who thought that table datasheets should work
like Excel spreadsheets. I'd worry about this person's safety should
they meet a bunch of MVP's in a dark alley...

The feature cannot be turned off; the only solution is to use
Continuous Form view rather than datasheet view. A Continuous Form can
be made to *look* very much like a datasheet if you like that
appearance.

John W. Vinson[MVP]

 

[John Vinson]

The "when" is the part I can't remember for sure. I seem to remember it
being when you are entering directly in the table, but maybe it is a query.

Unfortunately, it's any time you're using datasheet view - table
datasheet, query datasheet, or datasheet view of a Form.

John W. Vinson[MVP]

 

[Joseph Meehan]

Unfortunately, it's any time you're using datasheet view - table
datasheet, query datasheet, or datasheet view of a Form.

John W. Vinson[MVP]

Thanks I will try and remember that.

Was this just a Access 2000 thing or did they do away with it in 2002?

 

[John Vinson]

Was this just a Access 2000 thing or did they do away with it in 2002?

Over VEHEMENT protests, it's still there in 2002 *and* 2003.

John W. Vinson[MVP]

 

[Curmudgeon]

Thanks, Dick and John. We'll convert our form to something that looks
like a table.