How can I override 'Memo' field size default to make it larger??

  • Thread starter Thread starter Magpie1
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Magpie1

How can I override the 'Memo' field size 255 char default
to the 65,535 char that the MS Access Help says it can
contain? I need enough space to contain long notes and
medical reports and 250 char is not enough. Help tells me
to go to 'tools' then 'options'then 'Tables/Quesries' and
change the number in the 'default field sizes' box. It
will let me type in any number I want but when I click
on 'apply' a message pops up stating: 'The setting for the
FieldSize property must be from 0 through 255'.
HELP!!!!!
 
To change a TEXT field to a MEMO field, go to table design view and reselect
the datatype. After reselecting, save the table definition.
 
How can I override the 'Memo' field size 255 char default
to the 65,535 char that the MS Access Help says it can
contain?
Click to expand...

ummm... A Memo field does not HAVE a default size!

I suspect that this is actually a Text field, not a Memo field. To
change it you must open the Table (not the query) in design view;
check the data type of the field, and if it's not Memo, change it to
Memo. Compact the database afterward if there is already data in the
table since Access will have to rebuild the table.
 
Thank you John, for the answer. We figured it out after I
posted the message. I actually have gone to the field in
table design view and re-clicked on the 'memo' option from
the drop down menu but no change. Somehow, I think that
the memo field that I made for this table/db is confused.
This is the 1st Access db I've created for about 10 years
and I can't remember much of what I have done in the
past.
When I added a 2nd memo firld to the design view and then
entered about 750 characters to both the memo fields, the
original one truncated at 255 characters but the new one
didn't truncate. The original memo field must think it's
a text field and I can't change it's mind.
Thanks again. This is a great discussion forum!
 
Thank you John, for the answer. We figured it out after I
posted the message. I actually have gone to the field in
table design view and re-clicked on the 'memo' option from
the drop down menu but no change. Somehow, I think that
the memo field that I made for this table/db is confused.
This is the 1st Access db I've created for about 10 years
and I can't remember much of what I have done in the
past.
Click to expand...

10 years?!
My sympathies, you must come back more often!
When I added a 2nd memo firld to the design view and then
entered about 750 characters to both the memo fields, the
original one truncated at 255 characters but the new one
didn't truncate. The original memo field must think it's
a text field and I can't change it's mind.
Thanks again. This is a great discussion forum!
Click to expand...

I *think* I've seen this before.
Your description fit the situation perfectly: Access seemed to remember it
was a text field.
Here's what I did:
1. Change the datatype to Memo in Design View of the table.
2. Save the table.
3. Open the form you are working on (I presume this is a form that is giving
you problems).
4. Delete the CONTROL on the form bound to that memo field.
5. Close and save the form.
6. Open the form again in Design View and drag that field back onto the form
grid via the field list button.
7. Re-position where you want it, change any Tab Orders, save and close the
form.
8. Open the form in Normal mode and try entering more than 255 characters.

Hope that helps,
Jeff Conrad
Access Junkie
Bend, Oregon
 
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