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DataType property

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Applies to: Access 2013 | Access 2016

Use the DataType property to specify the type of data stored in a table field. Each field can store data consisting of only a single data type.

Setting

The DataType property uses the following settings.

Setting Type of data Size
Text NOTE: Text was replaced by Short text in Access 2013.(Default) Text or combinations of text and numbers, as well as numbers that don't require calculations, such as phone numbers. Up to 255 characters or the length set by the FieldSize property, whichever is less. Microsoft Access does not reserve space for unused portions of a text field.
Short Text NOTE: Short Text was introduced in Access 2013. It replaced Text.(Default) Text or combinations of text and numbers, as well as numbers that don't require calculations, such as phone numbers. Up to 255 characters or the length set by the FieldSize property, whichever is less. Microsoft Access does not reserve space for unused portions of a text field.
Memo NOTE: Memo was replaced by Long Text in Access 2013. Lengthy text or combinations of text and numbers. Up to 63,999 characters. (If the Memo field is manipulated through DAO and only text and numbers [not binary data] will be stored in it, then the size of the Memo field is limited by the size of the database.)
Long Text NOTE: Long Text was introduced in Access 2013. It replaced Memo. Lengthy text or combinations of text and numbers. Up to 63,999 characters. (If the Long Text field is manipulated through DAO and only text and numbers [not binary data] will be stored in it, then the size of the Long Text field is limited by the size of the database.)
Number Numeric data used in mathematical calculations. For more information on how to set the specific Number type, see the FieldSize property topic. 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes (16 bytes if the FieldSize property is set to Replication ID).
Date/Time Date and time values for the years 100 through 9999. 8 bytes.
Currency Currency values and numeric data used in mathematical calculations involving data with one to four decimal places. Accurate to 15 digits on the left side of the decimal separator and to 4 digits on the right side. 8 bytes.
AutoNumber A unique sequential (incremented by 1) number or random number assigned by Microsoft Access whenever a new record is added to a table. AutoNumber fields can't be updated. For more information, see the NewValues property topic. 4 bytes (16 bytes if the FieldSize property is set to Replication ID).
Yes/No Yes and No values and fields that contain only one of two values (Yes/No, True / False, or On/Off). 1 bit.
OLE Object An object (such as a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, a Microsoft Word document, graphics, sounds, or other binary data) linked to or embedded in a Microsoft Access table. Up to 1 gigabyte (limited by available disk space)
Hyperlink Text or combinations of text and numbers stored as text and used as a hyperlink address. A hyperlink address can have up to four parts: text to display — the text that appears in a field or control; address — the path to a file (UNC path) or page (URL); subaddress — a location within the file or page; screentip — the text displayed as a tooltip. Each part of the parts of a Hyperlink data type can contain up to 2048 characters.
Attachment Any supported type of file You can attach images, spreadsheet files, documents, charts, and other types of supported files to the records in your database, much like you attach files to email messages. You can also view and edit attached files, depending on how the database designer sets up the Attachment field. Attachment fields provide greater flexibility than OLE Object fields, and they use storage space more efficiently because they don't create a bitmap image of the original file.
Lookup Wizard Creates a field that allows you to choose a value from another table or from a list of values by using a list box or combo box. Clicking this option starts the Lookup Wizard, which creates a Lookup field. After you complete the wizard, Microsoft Access sets the data type based on the values selected in the wizard. The same size as the primary key field used to perform the lookup, typically 4 bytes.

You can set this property only in the upper portion of table Design view.

In Visual Basic , you can use the ADO Type property to set a field's data type before appending it to the Fields collection.

Remarks

Memo, Hyperlink, and OLE Object fields can't be indexed.

Tip

Use the Currency data type for a field requiring many calculations involving data with one to four decimal places. Single and Double data type fields require floating-point calculation. The Currency data type uses a faster fixed-point calculation.

Warning

Changing a field's data type after you enter data in a table causes a potentially lengthy process of data conversion when you save the table. If the data type in a field conflicts with a changed DataType property setting, you may lose some data.

Set the Format property to specify a predefined display format for Number, Date/Time, Currency, and Yes/No data types.

See also

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