Adding auto-numbered Primary Key to imported tables.

#1 (**permalink**) 28-Jul-2006, 08:11 AM

Hello,

I'm working on a project with a friend. He has an old dBase III
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/information-technology/10281-adding-auto-numbered-primary-key-imported.html
database he wants to convert to Access. It's mostly names and addresses
for a mailing list for a newsletter. Importing the table was no
problem. My problem is that I'd like to assign an Auto-Numbered Primary
Key to the table, but Access 2003 won't let me.

How can I import the data and provide an auto-numbered Primary Key as
well? Access won't let me use an auto-numbered key.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=10281

I've tried to create a new table with a primary key then tried to
import the data into the table, hoping that it would automatically auto
number it, but it only imports the table as a whole, not just the data
within the table.

For some background: I've created databases before (mostly mailing
lists with sorting filters, etc) and my knowledge of Access falls
somewhere between beginner and intermediate (closer to intermediate),
but I have no SQL or VBScript knowledge.

Any ideas?

--
Viken K.
http://www.vikenk.com

#2 (**permalink**) 28-Jul-2006, 08:11 AM

Once you have imported your table go to design view, add field [ID] data type
auto number. Save the table. Then select that field again in design mode
and make it a primary key, then save the table.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=10281
--
Jeff C
Live Well .. Be Happy In All You Do

"vikenk@aol.com" wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I'm working on a project with a friend. He has an old dBase III
> database he wants to convert to Access. It's mostly names and addresses
> for a mailing list for a newsletter. Importing the table was no
> problem. My problem is that I'd like to assign an Auto-Numbered Primary
> Key to the table, but Access 2003 won't let me.
>
> How can I import the data and provide an auto-numbered Primary Key as
> well? Access won't let me use an auto-numbered key.
>
> I've tried to create a new table with a primary key then tried to
> import the data into the table, hoping that it would automatically auto
> number it, but it only imports the table as a whole, not just the data
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=10281
> within the table.
>
> For some background: I've created databases before (mostly mailing
> lists with sorting filters, etc) and my knowledge of Access falls
> somewhere between beginner and intermediate (closer to intermediate),
> but I have no SQL or VBScript knowledge.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> --
> Viken K.
> http://www.vikenk.com
>
>

#3 (**permalink**) 28-Jul-2006, 08:11 AM

Jeff C wrote:
> Once you have imported your table go to design view, add field [ID] data type
> auto number. Save the table. Then select that field again in design mode
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=10281
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=10281
> and make it a primary key, then save the table.

Jeff,

Thank you very much. It worked like a charm! :>) Still though, I
wonder why Access didn't allow me to do it before...

--
Viken K.
http://www.vikenk.com

#4 (**permalink**) 28-Jul-2006, 08:12 AM

Creating an autonumber field is unique. When you create an autonumber field
it automatically numbers each record as soon as you save it. Making the
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=10281
field a primary key is yet another action requiriing the program to verify
the uniqueness if each record. Access just requires the step by step process.

--
Jeff C
Live Well .. Be Happy In All You Do

"vikenk@aol.com" wrote:

>
> Jeff C wrote:
> > Once you have imported your table go to design view, add field [ID] data type
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=10281
> > auto number. Save the table. Then select that field again in design mode
> > and make it a primary key, then save the table.
>
> Jeff,
>
> Thank you very much. It worked like a charm! :>) Still though, I
> wonder why Access didn't allow me to do it before...
>
> --
> Viken K.
> http://www.vikenk.com
>
>