Not enough memory, can't change data type

[Johnny Bright]

Hi there,

I have a table with about 250,000 records and I want to change a text field
where all the data looks something like 12-JUL-03 to a date/time data type.
When I do this, I get an error message saying there is not enough disk space
or memory. The field is not indexed. I tried to reduce the field size and I
get the same memory error. Is this a limitation in Access 2000 or is there
something I can do. My computer runs on XP and has 256 megs of memory and
lots of space on the hard drive.

Thanks!

 

[Ken Snell [MVP]]

When you change a data type, ACCESS actually creates a new field with the
desired data type, copies the data from the old field to the new field, and
then deletes the old field. If you have a lot of data, this can give you the
error that you see.

Try this workaround:

Create a new field with the desired data type. Create and run an update
query that will copy the data from the old field into the new field. Delete
the old field.

 

[Johnny Bright]

Hi Ken!

Thanks, what a great idea, that worked really well. After hitting myself in
the head a couple times, I then remembered how to do an update query, but
that was the only snag!

Thanks again,

John
--
www.brightfuture.ca/bright
My email address can be found on my site.

When you change a data type, ACCESS actually creates a new field with the
desired data type, copies the data from the old field to the new field, and
then deletes the old field. If you have a lot of data, this can give you the
error that you see.

Try this workaround:

Create a new field with the desired data type. Create and run an update
query that will copy the data from the old field into the new field. Delete
the old field.

 

[Ken Snell [MVP]]

You're welcome.

--

Ken Snell
<MS ACCESS MVP>

Hi Ken!

Thanks, what a great idea, that worked really well. After hitting myself
in
the head a couple times, I then remembered how to do an update query, but
that was the only snag!

Thanks again,

John