Add a new field into existing database

[Kate]

I have an existing database in Access, and just want to add one more field.

I thought it would be fairly easy, but I can't find the answer!!

[Rick Shores]

I have an existing database in Access, and just want to add one more field.

I thought it would be fairly easy, but I can't find the answer!!

I'd like to think it would be as simple as opening a table in design mode (by right-clicking on it) and adding an additional row at the end for an additional field. Is that what you're looking for, or is there additional info that we need to have? Are you trying to add it via query, etc? If that's what you're looking for, run with it! If there's something else, post some more info.

[Kate]

I'd like to think it would be as simple as opening a table in design mode (by right-clicking on it) and adding an additional row at the end for an additional field. Is that what you're looking for, or is there additional info that we need to have? Are you trying to add it via query, etc? If that's what you're looking for, run with it! If there's something else, post some more info.

Sorry - but I'm not too sure of the lingo for Access. As far as I can tell, my database doesn't have any tables.

It's a database of students - basically just name, address, college, course, etc.
We have a field called 'Assessment' which has a drop down menu for either 'internal' or 'external'. I want to add another field next to it called 'assessor' then have a choice of assessor names to chose from.

Is this enough info, or do you need more?

[Tanis]

Your database must have tables. Get to the database window. Down the left side you will see a list. of objects. Tables is at the top of the list. Click on a table, then design ,Add the field in the grid.

[Rick Shores]

Sorry - but I'm not too sure of the lingo for Access. As far as I can tell, my database doesn't have any tables.

It's a database of students - basically just name, address, college, course, etc.
We have a field called 'Assessment' which has a drop down menu for either 'internal' or 'external'. I want to add another field next to it called 'assessor' then have a choice of assessor names to chose from.

Is this enough info, or do you need more?

Your database sounds like it's got at least 1 table. When you start your database, hold down the "Shift" key on your keyboard, and the application should open without any default forms opening. That may be causing some confusion. Then, if you go to the main window of your database, you should see (on the left hand side, depending on your version of Access) 'Tables', 'Queries', etc. If you click on 'Tables' you'll see the tables that exist in your database. You should be able to right click on the correct table name (probably 'Students' or something like that), and click "Design View". That's where you'll add the field. As far as the values in the field, though....

IMO, the easiest way to build a simple drop-down like this is to create another table with just the list of assessors before you add the field to your students table. You can just make a simple single field table with a list of assessors, then set the data type in the new field (in your Students" table) to 'Lookup Wizard'.

Does any of this make sense? I know Access can be a bit confusing if you're not used to it. Hope I've helped a bit! Lemme know if you need/want any additional info!

[Kate]

Thanks for the info - I think I'm too confused beyond help!!

I created a new table, used the Lookup Wizard, and was feeling pretty good about myself, but now its no-where to be seen!

It's home time now, so I might attempt it again tomorrow morning, or I may just give up and create a reason why we don't need this information in the database!

[Rick Shores]

Thanks for the info - I think I'm too confused beyond help!!

I created a new table, used the Lookup Wizard, and was feeling pretty good about myself, but now its no-where to be seen!

It's home time now, so I might attempt it again tomorrow morning, or I may just give up and create a reason why we don't need this information in the database!

You may have created the field in the table, and the table is working properly, but when you go back to what you're used to looking at, it's not actually the table, but a form that's based on the table. If that's the case, you'll need to add that field into the form as well, which will display records from the table and allow you to choose assessors.

That may have confused you even more, but here's a general guideline... forms are pretty, but generally don't store any information. Tables look much like an Excel spreadsheet, but aren't very pretty. If it's pretty, it's probably a form.

To store information in a table, you only have to have a field (column) for it. Once that information is stored (or the field is available to store data in) the field will not automatically pop up in any previously existing forms. You'll need to add the field to the form to access that info on the form.

Did that help?

[Rick Shores]

Kate,

I PM'd you some click by click instructions.

[eve2eva]

Is that possible to add new table field via Form??
If could, how??..

[sierra7]

Is that possible to add new table field via Form??
If could, how??..

I think this is outside the scope of the current thread where Kate is obviously struggling to come to terms with Access (well done Rick!) but yes it is possible to modify the structure of a table from a form.

Generally, one would use the Table Design module, but if you have a remote user (customer) with a 'live backend' then this may involve a costly site visit to make the changes. It's possible to run a check from the Start-up form to see if the modification has been made and if not then run it.

I have a suite of modules (tools) from www.aislebyaisl e.com/access/tools.htm which can add field, add table, add index...modify or delete etc.

I can't actually find the download on the site today ! (it seems to have changed since I visited a year ago) but if you define a specific task I will post the code

S7