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Input
Masks
When you
enter certain types of data into a table, such as a phone
number or Social Security number, you can set up Microsoft
Access to enter any extra characters for you, such as dashes
and parentheses. You can also restrict the type of characters
accepted. An Input Mask allows you to set these up. There
are several characters you can use to format the input mask
in the Field Properties section:
- 0:
indicates numeric data, entry required
- 9:
indicates numeric data, entry optional
- L:
indicates alphabetic data, entry required
- ?:
indicates alphabetic data, entry optional
- >:
forces uppercase
- <:
forces lowercase
For example,
you can set up an input mask for entering the state in your
table. In this mask, only two alphabetic characters are permitted,
the entry is optional, and they will display in uppercase,
regardless of how they are entered.
For longer
or more complicated masks, such as a phone number or Social
Security number, an Input Mask Wizard is available.
The Wizard
will step you through the process of creating the mask. <Click
here> for a video demonstration. (230K)
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