Microsoft KB Archive/209694

= ACC2000: Expression Error May Be Caused by International Setting =

Article ID: 209694

Article Last Modified on 7/16/2004

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Access 2000 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q209694



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

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



SYMPTOMS
When you try to enter an expression that requires a list separator in the QBE grid field or criteria rows, or as the ControlSource property setting for a text box in a form or report, the attempt fails, and you may receive the following error message:

The expression you entered has invalid syntax.

When you try to enter an expression that requires a list separator in an action argument for a macro action, the attempt fails, and you may receive the following error message:

Microsoft Access can't parse the expression: ' '



CAUSE
In Microsoft Access 2000, these errors can occur because of an incorrect list separator setting on the Number tab of the Regional Settings Properties dialog box in the Windows Control Panel.



RESOLUTION
To set the list separator for your country, follow these steps:
 * 1) In Microsoft Windows 95/98, or Windows NT 4.0, double-click the Regional Settings icon (the Regional Options icon in Windows 2000) in Control Panel.
 * 2) In the dialog box that is displayed, click the Regional Settings tab (the General tab in Windows 2000). Note that you can select many different regions of the world.
 * 3) Click the Number tab and specify the correct list separator in the List Separator box.



MORE INFORMATION
Microsoft Access 2000 only uses the Windows registry; it does not use the Win.ini file. When you enter an expression in a property sheet, a design grid, or an action argument, Microsoft Access recognizes region- specific function names, property names, and list separators for international versions.

When using functions or properties in an expression in most international versions of Microsoft Access 2000, you can type its localized name (in your language) in a property sheet, a design grid, or an action argument. You can also use the list separator for your country when you specify more than one argument for a function. You specify the list separator on the Number tab of the Regional Settings (or Regional Options)dialog box in the Windows Control Panel. For most international versions, the default list separator is a semicolon.

However, in Visual Basic for Applications code, you must type the English function or property name and use a comma as a list separator.

Additional query words: Microsoft Access can t parse the expression globalization international int'l localization localisation prb

Keywords: kberrmsg kbprb kbusage KB209694

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