Adding auto-numbered Primary Key to imported tables.

[vikenk]

Hello,

I'm working on a project with a friend. He has an old dBase III
database he wants to convert to Access. It's mostly names and addresses
for a mailing list for a newsletter. Importing the table was no
problem. My problem is that I'd like to assign an Auto-Numbered Primary
Key to the table, but Access 2003 won't let me.

How can I import the data and provide an auto-numbered Primary Key as
well? Access won't let me use an auto-numbered key.

I've tried to create a new table with a primary key then tried to
import the data into the table, hoping that it would automatically auto
number it, but it only imports the table as a whole, not just the data
within the table.

For some background: I've created databases before (mostly mailing
lists with sorting filters, etc) and my knowledge of Access falls
somewhere between beginner and intermediate (closer to intermediate),
but I have no SQL or VBScript knowledge.

Any ideas?

 

[Jeff C]

Once you have imported your table go to design view, add field [ID] data type
auto number. Save the table. Then select that field again in design mode
and make it a primary key, then save the table.

 

[vikenk]

Once you have imported your table go to design view, add field [ID] data type
auto number. Save the table. Then select that field again in design mode
and make it a primary key, then save the table.

Jeff,

Thank you very much. It worked like a charm! :>) Still though, I
wonder why Access didn't allow me to do it before...

 

[Jeff C]

Creating an autonumber field is unique. When you create an autonumber field
it automatically numbers each record as soon as you save it. Making the
field a primary key is yet another action requiriing the program to verify
the uniqueness if each record. Access just requires the step by step process.


--
Jeff C
Live Well .. Be Happy In All You Do

Once you have imported your table go to design view, add field [ID] data type
auto number. Save the table. Then select that field again in design mode
and make it a primary key, then save the table.

Jeff,

Thank you very much. It worked like a charm! :>) Still though, I
wonder why Access didn't allow me to do it before...