too many fields defined

[Chris S]

Access XP - I am trying to change the data format in a table from Yes/No to
text. Whenever I attempt to save the changes I receive an error code 3190
indicating Too Many Fields Defined. When I tried to bypass the problem by
creating a new field with the corrected data form, I receive the same error
message. It appears my table will not allow me to add any additional fields.

Thanks!

 

[Duane Hookom]

You probably have defined too many fields. Access has a maximum of 256 which
is generally 200+ too many. A properly normalized table structure rarely
requires more than about 30 fields.

However, you can try to compact your database to resolve your issue.

 

[Sirocco]

I wouldn't want to be using a table that has the max number of fields.
Anyway, what you may need to do to redefine one of the fields is this:
store the YES/NO field in, say, tblTEMP, along with some other fields that,
together, UNIQUELY identify the field, then delete YES/NO from the main
table, which will presumeably free up some space. Make the changes to the
YES/NO field in tblTEMP, then define the field again in the main table, as a
text field (hopefully it will save), then update this field with the data
from tblTEMP, using the other fields in tblTEMP to find it's original
record. Note that both tables should have the same number of records.

 

[Sandy K]

Hi:
I "inherited" a database that I have to work with that already is maxed at
256 fields.
Any suggestions on how to easily clean this mess up?

Thanks

Sandy