Microsoft KB Archive/39746

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

File: Automatically Indexes Fields and Requires More Memory
Last reviewed: October 27, 1994

Article ID: Q39746

Summary:

Microsoft File version 2.00 data file fields are automatically indexed, enabling both faster access when searching for a record and increased speed when sorting records.

However, saving records and importing text files takes longer when using indexed fields in a data file. If indexing for a field is not desired, do the following:


 * 1) Select the field, and choose Format Field from the Form menu.
 * 2) Deselect Index and click OK.

Indexed data files are larger than data files that are not indexed. When converting a File versions 1.x document to a File version 2.00 document, the data file may be considerably larger and require more memory than the original versions 1.x data file because the File version 2.00 data file's index is now stored as part of the document. If a field in the original versions 1.x document is not indexed, it will not be indexed when it is converted to File version 2.00.

For more information on indexing, see Chapter 3, &quot;Creating Data Files,&quot; in the &quot;Microsoft File for the Apple Macintosh&quot; manual.