When you are using Microsoft Access, then it is necessary to monitor about data or omission of data. Sometimes while we enter the data in the MS Access fields, by mistake we enter wrong data or omit the data. It will be difficult and error prone to manage the data in MS access. The latest versions of Microsoft provides input mask to control how data is entered into Microsoft fields. By adding the input mask you can specify the format of data like telephone numbers or student registration numbers. This article will help you to create an input mask in Microsoft Access fields.
Steps to create an input mask in Microsoft Access table field:
Step 1:
The very first step is to right click on the table name in the navigation panel and select design view. After clicking on the design, select the field in which you want to enter the input mask. Now go to the general tab in the field properties at the bottom of the MS Access window. Now you just have to click on the “input mask” button and click on the build button to start the input mask wizard.
Step 2:
Now second step is to select the type of input mask you want to create. So just click on the try it box and see how the data is appearing.
Step 3:
After selection of the type of the input mask, now you have to click on the “edit” button to create a custom input mask. Make all the changes you want and proceed. Now click on the “close” button.
Step 4:
Now the final task is to click “next” to use the selected input mask. Before clicking make sure all the changes are correct or not. Now click “next” and the final step is to click “finish”.
Steps to create an input mask in Access query:
Step 1:
The first and second step is same as given in the above description.
Step 2:
Now you just have to click on “property sheet” in the show hide group. It will open on the right side of the window.
Step 3:
Now you just have to click on the “input mask” button and click on the build button to start the input mask wizard.
Now just stick to the steps given in the above section. Now you will able to use input mask in Microsoft Access to control the data entered.
If you are using older versions of Microsoft Access, then sometimes you will not this feature at the time of installation. So please refer to the CD or the installation files in your computer. This is an additional feature of MS Access.
If you are using the limiting the number characters field option, then we recommend you to use input mask. It is more specific to use in the case of certain precise values. If you are using input mask then you can make the data look like telephone numbers but you can not specify specific numbers.
