When you drive a database in Microsoft Access you'll need modify field width and record height so that they adapt to the needs of your work.
This is why it is important to know why it is useful to carry out these steps without making mistakes. If you want to know how this task is done, you can learn from a complete guide that you will find in the following paragraphs of this article.
We will also explain in detail different ways to do this process. If you want to get the most out of Microsoft Access don't miss a thing.
Why is it important to format the width of the fields and the height of the formats in Access?
The cells in the Access tables They come by default with a standard measure to enter the data. However, the needs between users vary so, depending on the style and purpose of your database, the information you enter will be more extensive or smaller.
For this reason, it is appropriate to understand how to modify the width of fields and the height of records. You will not only have a table designed or personalized to your liking, but you will also be able to change the visual aspect, which makes the reading more appropriate and in line with the information.
A larger space for values within the cell will allow the reader better appreciates the text and numeric characters. But downsizing records and fields also has its benefits. This means that the tables are not so wide and therefore you will be able to visualize more data without having to scroll through it.
Learn step by step how to modify Field width and record height in Microsoft Access
The steps you will have to do to modify the Width of fields and the height of records in Access are:
- If it is an existing table, open the database where your table is located and in the drop-down list of Boards choose the one you will use.
- Right click on it and in the list of options select Design view.
- Through this view you will be able to modify certain parameters, such as the width of fields and columns thanks to the grid lines you can see. These lines divide one cell from the other, both vertically and horizontally.
- Locate yourself in the field what you wish Modify, you can even choose multiple columns at the same time.
- Place the mouse pointer over the right line that limits the field.
- Now click until a double arrow appears.
- Once you can see the arrow, Access it will permit you shift the dividing line to the right (expanding the width of your fields) or more to the left (decreasing the width of your fields). This you have to do without releasing the right mouse button.
- Try and decide the correct space you should have in your field with the line and release the button where you think it's convenient.
- Ready, you will see as all the cells in that column changed their width.
Another way you have to do it is to click on the cell of the column that you want to alter. Then go to the tab Layout and choose Cell Size. You can choose between "Auto-adjust it" to content or simply enter an exact measurement.
You also have the option of set a more exact field size. While with the grid lines you establish an approximate visual measurement, with this option you can indicate how many characters (text or numeric) the field will contain exactly.
To do this you must follow these steps:
- Open the table where is the field to modify its width and go to Design view.
- Search through the grids the field or column you need to changeIf there is more than one, select them before continuing.
- Now go to the tab general and then select the panel Properties of the field.
- Place yourself in the option within the panel Field size. You may find a value of 50 (in text fields) which refers to the maximum value it can contain.
- If it is a text field you can select a number between 1 to 255, which will indicate the maximum number of characters that the value can contain.
- In the case of longer texts, you can choose the option Memo data type.
With respect to fields containing numeric values you will have to follow the same procedure. But when you find yourself in Field size, In the panel you will have to indicate if it will be byte size, integer, long integer, single, double or other. Each of these specifications refers to the type of integers or numerical values it will contain. On the other hand, you have the option of alter the height of records or rows in a table.
Follow this short guide:
- As in the previous steps, you have to open the table from Design View.
- Go to the left column of the grids, just off the table.
- Locate yourself on the grid line bounding below the row.
- While there click until the double arrow appears which will allow you to drag the line up (making the record smaller) or down (making the record larger).
- Scroll the line without releasing the pointer until you reach the height that feels right for you, and then release the mouse button.
You can too indicate a more specific measure of the row or record.
For this you will have to do this step by step:
- With the table you want to modify open, click on the record or specific row
- Go to the tab Design at the top of the screen.
- Select option Cell size and then click inside the dialog Table row height.
- Writes the height you want to give it, to a greater or lesser extent than you already have.
- Then you're going to have to click To accept.
Remember that, in the "Design View" from the table in the group "Cell size" you have more options to choose from. For example, if you click on Distribute rows or Distribute columns you can alter several fields or records in the same step. Shade them, adjust them or place measurements according to your needs.