Microsoft KB Archive/209903

= ACC2000: Cannot Use Intrinsic Constants in Queries, Forms, Reports =

Article ID: 209903

Article Last Modified on 10/11/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Access 2000 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q209903



Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.



SYMPTOMS
When you use Microsoft Access intrinsic constants in expressions in a query, on a form or a report, or in the Condition column of a macro, you may receive an error.

For example, when you use the StrConv function in the Update To cell of an update query and then run it, you receive the following error message:

Microsoft Access can't update all the records in the update query.

When you use the StrConv function in the Criteria cell of a select query, you receive the following error message:

Data type mismatch in criteria expression.

If you use the StrConv function in the ControlSource property of a control on a report, Microsoft Access prompts you for a parameter value.

If you use the StrConv function in the ControlSource property of a control on a form, the control displays #Name? in Form view.

If you use the StrConv function in the Condition column of a macro, you receive the following error message:

Microsoft Access can't find the name ' ' you entered in the expression.

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements.



CAUSE
The query does not recognize the value of the Visual Basic intrinsic constants that you used in the function.



RESOLUTION
To work around this behavior, use one of the following methods:  Use the numeric value for the conversion argument instead of the constant. For example, instead of using

Expr1: StrConv([CompanyName],vbProperCase)

use:

Expr1: StrConv([CompanyName],3)

  use: Create a procedure that contains the built-in function with its intrinsic constant, and then use that procedure in your query. For example, you can create the following procedure in a module: Function UseConstants(FieldName As String) UseConstants = StrConv(FieldName, vbUpperCase) End Function Then you can use the custom procedure in your query expression:

Expr1: UseConstants([CompanyName])





STATUS
This behavior is by design. Intrinsic constants can only be used in Visual Basic for Applications code.



Steps to Reproduce Behavior
 Start Microsoft Access and open the sample database Northwind.mdb.  Create the following new query in Design view based on the Customers table: <pre class="fixed_text">  Query: qryCustomers -  Type: Select Query

Field: CompanyName Table: Customers Criteria: StrConv([CustomerID], vbLowerCase) = "alfki" </li> On the Query menu, click Run. Note that you receive the error "Data type mismatch in criteria expression." Click OK.</li> Delete the Criteria expression and type the following expression in a new column in the QBE grid:

StrConv([CompanyName], vbUpperCase)

</li> On the Query menu, click Run. Note that you receive the error mentioned earlier.</li> Switch the query back to Design view.</li> On the Query menu, click Update Query.</li> In the QBE grid, delete the column with the StrConv expressions, and set the Update To cell of the CompanyName column to the following expression:

StrConv([CompanyName], vbUpperCase)

</li> On the Query menu, click Run. Click Yes to confirm that you want to update the records, and note that you receive the error "Microsoft Access can't update all the records in the update query." Click No to stop the update.</li></ol>

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