The Autonumber is missing when I update the forms

[Guest]

My order number 38 showing on the database is autonumber. When I input some
data onto two forms for this order and saved them, there was a warning saying
some data will be lost. I thought I could update it again. However the form
with this order number 38 was disappeared. Now after 37, there's only 39.
When I looked the table of order details, the 38 records are still in there.
Question: How can I bring the 38 back? Please advise. Thanks a lot.

 

[John Vinson]

My order number 38 showing on the database is autonumber. When I input some
data onto two forms for this order and saved them, there was a warning saying
some data will be lost. I thought I could update it again. However the form
with this order number 38 was disappeared. Now after 37, there's only 39.
When I looked the table of order details, the 38 records are still in there.
Question: How can I bring the 38 back? Please advise. Thanks a lot.

You can delete record 39; Compact the database; and reenter the
record.

OR... much better... you can abandon the idea of using Autonumbers for
anything other than their designed purpose: to provide a unique key
value. Autonumbers will ALWAYS have gaps; they can even become random.
They are *not* guaranteed to be sequential. If you want sequential,
gapless numbers, you'll need to use VBA code to insert them yourself.

John W. Vinson[MVP]