How To Change Field Size In Access

The Field Size property determines the maximum size of data that tin can be stored in a text or number field. For example, if yous ready the size of a text field to 2, you could enter "MN" simply non "Minnesota."

The Field Size property

In that location are several reasons why you would desire to change the size of a field:

Changing the field size reduces data-entry errors.
Access tin can process smaller field sizes more speedily.
Smaller field sizes require less hard-drive storage space.

Field sizes work a little differently for text and number fields. In text fields, the Field Size property determines the maximum number of characters the field can accept, every bit shown in effigy. In numbers fields, the Field Size holding determines what type of number the field will accept.

In this lesson y'all will change the size of a table's fields.

If necessary, open the Lesson 4 database and double-click the tblCustomers table.

In order to modify the field size, you must exist in Pattern view.
Click the View button on the toolbar.

The tabular array appears in Design view. You lot probably already know the start step by nowclick the proper noun of the field whose property you want to modify.
Click the State field.

Now alter the Land's field size.
Click the Field Size box in the Field Properties section and type ii.

The Country field can at present simply accept a maximum of two characters. Users will at present take to enter standard two-digit state abbreviations.

Let'due south attempt changing the size of another field.
Click the ZipCode field.

Notice that the ZipCode's field size is set at 50. We probably won't have whatsoever l-digit Null Codes for at least a few more years, so you can safely change the field size to a smaller number.
Click the Field Size box in the Field Properties section and blazon xi.

The ZipCode field volition at present accept no more than than eleven digits.

Be very conscientious when you're changing the Field Size of a field that already contains data. Access will truncate or delete data that is larger than the new field size.
Click the Save button on the toolbar to save your changes, click Yeah to confirm the modify, and close the table.

If you are working with a number field, the Field Size property determines the type and size of the number that a field will accept, as shown in table.

Available Number Field Sizes

Heading	Number Range	Decimal Places	Storage Size
Byte	0 to 255	None	1 byte
Integer	-32,768 to 32,767	None	2 bytes
Long Integer	-ii.1x10³⁸ to 2.1x10³⁸	None	4 bytes
Single	-3.4x10³⁸ to 3.4x10³⁸	vii	four bytes
Double	-1.8x10³⁰⁸ to 1.8x10³⁰⁸	15	8 bytes
Replication ID	Due north/A	Due north/A	16 bytes

How to alter the field size:

brand sure the table is displayed in blueprint view.
select the field whose size you want to change.
click the field size box in the field properties department.
for text fields: type the field size value.

for number fields: choose the value from the listing.