Interactive Tutorial
How to Change the Field Size in Access
Adjust field size to control how much data can be stored in Microsoft Access
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The Field Size property determines the maximum size of information that can be stored in a text or number field. For example, if you set the size of a text field to 2, you could enter “MN” but not “Minnesota.” There are several reasons why you would want to change the size of a field:
- Changing the field size to only allow for what is necessary reduces data-entry errors.
- Access can process smaller field sizes more quickly.
- Smaller field sizes require less hard drive storage space.
While Field Size determines the maximum number of characters in a text field, in a numerical field, it determines the number type.
- In Design View, select the field whose size you want to change.
- Click the Field Size box and type or select the field size. If prompted, click Yes to complete the action.
Be very careful when changing the Field Size of a field that already contains data. Access will truncate or delete data that is larger than the new field size.
| Number Field Sizes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Byte | Integers from 0 to 255. | Very small – not usually a good choice. | |
| Integer | Integers from -32,768 to 32,767. | Works for most numbers without decimals. | |
| Long Integer | Integers from -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647. | Works for most numbers without decimals. | |
| Single | Positive or negative numbers up to 38 zeroes and 7 decimal places. | Good for large numbers with decimals. | |
| Double | Positive or negative numbers up to 308 zeroes and 15 decimal places. | For really big numbers with decimals. | |
| Replication ID | Long unique codes. | Used when you want to merge copies of a database. | |
| Decimal | Positive or negative numbers up to 28 zeroes and 28 decimal places. | Good for numbers with a lot of decimals. | |