Using the Input Mask Wizard

To ensure that users enter data in a particular format, use the Input Mask property. Rather than typing the mask format yourself, Access has a wizard that offers samples of the most common data formats.

To use the Input Mask Wizard:

1. With the table open in Design view, click the field you want to apply the Input Mask property to.
2. Click the Input Mask box in the Field Properties pane.
3. Click the Input Mask Wizard build button.
4. If you need to save the table, Access will prompt you to do so now.
5. Select the format that best matches your data.
6. Press the Tab key to move to the Try It: box. Type a sample value to see how your data entry will appear.
7. Click the Next button to continue.
8. In this step, you can modify the input mask or change the placeholder character. To change the placeholder character, click the drop-down arrow and select the character you want. You can test the new format by typing in the Try It: box.
9. Finally, choose how you want to store the data. Click Next to go to the last step.
10. Click Finish to complete the input mask.

If you designate both an input mask and a format for a field, the format takes precedence when displaying the data, but the input mask controls how the data is entered.