Changing Data Types

By default, the data type for a new field is text. You can change the data type to number, AutoNumber, Date/Time, Currency or one of the other options available. Specifying the appropriate data type for a field is crucial to designing a useful database. For example, you can't run calculations on a field with the text field type, and you can't sort a date field efficiently unless you use the date/time field type. Carefully consider the type of data you will include in each field before you decide on the data type.

To change the data type for a field:

1. Open the table in Design view.
2. Click the data type for the field that you want to change.
3. Click the drop-down arrow to see the list of available data types.
4. Select the appropriate data type for your data.

If you need a high degree of accuracy in your numerical calculations, use the currency data type instead of the number data type. A currency field is accurate to 15 digits to the left of the decimal point and 4 digits to the right. The number field is limited by the field size and format you choose.