How do I prevent automatic dates in a field?

[lcavalier]

Every time I enter a "project number" in a field (i.e.: 06-001), my computer
automatically assumes it is a date - how do I prevent this from happening?
(What 06-001 means is...06 = 2006, and -001 = First project of 2006) - It is
not
6/1/2006 = This is what my computer or Acces keeps changing it to!
Please help!

 

[Rick B]

Well, first, you are storing two pieces of data in one field. The year, and
a sequence number. I would not do that. I would store them in two separate
fields, then combine them in forms, reports, etc.

BUT... what type of field are you using? If you set it as a text field
(since you include a non-number entry "-") then it will take exactly what
you enter and will not try to "fix" it for you.

 

[lcavalier]

Rick - I am extremely new at this - like today = first time - I just opened a
table in database format and started plugging away - my data is really not
complicated, I just have to store projects for this year (there are only 2 so
far) and I need to keep them updated. - I have a few categories, like

Project Description >Project begin Date >Project end date >Client Info for

this Certain project...
It's really not complicated...(I would think)
Do you have any suggestions?
(Stressed out and feeling incompetent and overwhelmed)
(Oh, and new at this job)
Thanks
Lcavalier

 

[Rick B]

If that is all you are entering, then I would think Excel would make more
sense.

If you want to do it on Access, that is fine. I would guess you will only
need one table. If you want to enter the number you mentioned, just change
that field to "text". If you want to be more complex, you could add a
sequence field and use the year from the "Project Begin Date" and combine it
with the sequence in your reports, forms, queries, etc. In this case, it
may not be worth the trouble.

 

[lcavalier]

Wow - that actually sounds like something I need to do...
Thanks alot!!!!
But, I already have this stuff in excel - its not good enough
I need to set this info up in a way that the engineers here at
my firm can easily query certain items such as... i.e. Hurricane Katrina
Related Projects from 2005...
And they would have success in doing so-
Right now in excel they have to search for the word Katrina through an x
number of projects in 2005 - and then print it out and highlight the relevant
projects and project descriptions that they are looking for....
It's really a pain -
Oh, This is a real juvenille question I'm sure, but how do I exactly do the
"text" thing you spoke about - Take your time - I am sure you have better
things to do!!
I appreciate it!!
Lcavalier

 

[Rick B]

Just open the table in design view and change the field type to "text".

 

[lcavalier]

Thanks

Just open the table in design view and change the field type to "text".