Microsoft KB Archive/271607

= ACC2000: Tables Are Automatically Populated with Values As You Move Through Fields or Records =

Article ID: 271607

Article Last Modified on 6/28/2004

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Access 2000 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q271607



This article applies to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb) and to a Microsoft Access project (.adp).

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.



SUMMARY
When you use the TAB key to move through empty fields or use the DOWN ARROW key to move down to new records in an Access 2000 table, Microsoft Access may automatically populate the next field or record with a value.



MORE INFORMATION
Microsoft Access 2000 includes a new feature that is named AutoFill. This feature is built into Access, and it is always enabled. You cannot disable it.

AutoFill applies only to Access tables that have fields with certain data types and works only if you enter certain multiples of numbers. The following two lists indicate which field types are affected by AutoFill, based on the type of Access table (MDB or ADP tables) that you are using.

Access MDB Fields:
Text

Memo

Number (if the field's DefaultValue property is blank)

Access ADP Fields:
binary

decimal

float

int

ntext

numeric

nvarchar

real

smallint

text

tinyint

varbinary

varchar

To see how AutoFill functions, follow these steps:  Open a new Access 2000 database or a new Access project. Create a new table, and add the following four fields:

Fld1

Fld2

Fld3

Fld4

 If you are using an Access database (.mdb), assign a data type of Text to each of these four fields. If you are using an Access project (.adp), assign a data type of Binary to each of these four fields. Also set Fld1 of the .adp table as the Primary Key. Open the table in Datasheet view. Enter a value of 1 into Fld1. Press the TAB key to move to Fld2, and then enter a value of 2. Press the TAB key to move to Fld3, and note that a value of 3 is automatically entered. If you press TAB to move to Fld4, a value of 4 is automatically entered. If you press the TAB key again, the pointer moves to a new record. In the new record, enter a value of 2 into Fld1.</li> Press the DOWN ARROW key to move down to a new record, and note that a value of 3 is automatically entered into Fld1 on the next record. As you continue to press the DOWN ARROW key, Fld1 is automatically populated with a new value.</li></ol>

AutoFill works only in a limited number of multiples. For example, if you enter 2 into Fld1 and enter 4 into Fld2, AutoFill inserts a 6 into Fld3, and so on. However, there are other multiples that AutoFill does not work with. Two examples of this would be multiples of 3, and days of the week.

If any of the supported field types are contiguous, AutoFill applies. In other words, within an Access table, if Fld1 were Text, and Fld2 were Number (without a default value), and Fld3 were Text, AutoFill would still apply when you press the TAB key to move from field to field. However, if the field types that support AutoFill are separated by other field types that do not support AutoFill, AutoFill is not applied. If the Text fields were separated by Currency fields, AutoFill would not be applied when you press the TAB key to move from one field to the next. In this case, however, AutoFill still applies if you press the DOWN ARROW key to move down to new records.

Additional query words: auto fill automatically filled AutoComplete

Keywords: KB271607

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