Number format problem

[Stu]

I believe I have experienced this problem before but I'm
not sure. Isn't there a problem when number data is
inserted into a table like: 01001, 02002 ??? I think the
key is beginning with 0(something)? Once written to the
database the data is converted as binary. I would
appreciate info on this situation as I am beginning to
establish a table where this is an issue. Thanks for any
help. Access2000 user.

 

[Allen Browne]

Use a Text field if you wish to store a significant leading zero.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

Stu

To follow on Allen's suggestion, I'd ask if what you are storing is actually
numbers, or merely digits? If you won't ever be doing any arithmetic on the
contents of this field, you don't have "numbers".

For example, the eastern US has some zip/postal codes like "02022". While
this appears to be a "number", there is no need to "add" zip codes, so it is
merely a string of characters (digits, in fact).

If you want to have a true number DISPLAYED with one/more leading zeros,
look into Format. That won't change what is stored, merely how it gets
displayed.