What does pattern string invalid mean in access?

[Dawn]

I was searching for names in my database and all of a sudden I am getting a
information message that says The Pattern String is Invalid. I do not know
what this means or how to fix it. I am not able to search now.

 

[Maarkr]

Pls give us some examples of the search string you are using that gives you
the error message...also what field attributes are for the search, ie, text,
number/integer, etc.

 

[Dawn]

I am new to access, so explaining might be a little tricky, so here goes... I
have a table with ID (number) which is the key, Name last, first (text), ss
#(number),dob (date format),race/sex (text), place of birth (text),
license/state (text), alien regs (text), badge issued (yes/No box), badge
denied (text), badge exp (text) (date format), Badge return (yes/no box),
company, date submitted (date format), badge return date (date format)

ok so I filtered it by company and started searching for last names. I did a
few with no problem and then I hit save, which I do periodically, and after
hitting save when I try to search it gives me "The pattern string is
invaild".

I hope this makes sense and someone can help me out

 

[Maarkr]

"I filtered it by company " meaning you are filtering by form or are you
looking at a query?
"when I try to search " meaning using the find and replace on the toolbar?
also, FYI, using a number field for SS# may give you problems later if the
first couple of digits are zeros.

 

[Dawn]

By form,or table? its the search bar on the bottom left. You know I did
change SS# to text because it had already tried to give me problems.

Thanks,
Dawn

 

[Canada]

Oh please answer this! we are having a very similar problem with our database
one minute the"search" box was working and the next minute is starts giving
"pattern string is invalid" remark...