Microsoft KB Archive/120904

= ACC2: How to Format Data in Combo Boxes and List Boxes =

Article ID: 120904

Article Last Modified on 6/24/2002

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Access 2.0 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q120904



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



SUMMARY
Microsoft Access displays data in list boxes and combo boxes whose RowSource property is set to a table or query using the format defined in the underlying fields' Format property.

If you want the data in a list box or combo box to be displayed with a different format, you can create a query and set the fields' formats using the query's Format property, or you can use the Format function in an expression.

If a list box or combo box's RowSource property is set to an SQL statement, a field's Format property will have no affect on how the data is displayed, because SQL statements do not contain or specify any formatting information.

NOTE: In version 7.0, combo boxes have a Format property.



MORE INFORMATION
To change the format for a field in a query, follow these steps:


 * 1) Select the field in the query grid.
 * 2) From the View menu, choose Properties.
 * 3) Select one of the predefined formats in the Format property box, or enter an expression to format the field.
 * 4) Close the property sheet.

The following are examples of expressions for formatting fields in a query:

  The expression

     format([MyDate],"dddd mmmm d, yyyy")

will display the date 1/1/94 as:

     Saturday January 1, 1994

  The expression

     format([MyNumber],"$#,##0;($#,##0)")

will display the number 1256 as

     $1,256

and will display the number -1256 as:

     ($1,256)



