Format of AutoNumber

C

Chris

I have changed the format of an autonumber field to place GN- before it, for
example GN-1, GN-2.....and so on. This works fine in this table. I would like
this as a combo box in another form and it is linked to the other table
through a 1-many relationship, but when the combo list is selected the GN-1
is shown in the drop down menu but cannot be selected. The corresponding
field for the combo box is a number field to take the autonumber but it
doesnt seem to like the GN before it and says its the wrong format.
Can anyone help?

Chris
 
D

Douglas J Steele

Autonumber fields exist for one purpose only: to provide a (practically
guaranteed) unique value that can be used as a primary key. What value is
has shouldn't matter to you (and, in fact, it's generally recommended that
the autonumber field not be displayed to the end users)

You need to recognize that changing the format of a field only changes how
it's displayed, not what value is stored. Presumably your table still
contains 1, 2, 3, not GN-1, GN-2, GN-3, so you need to join based on the
number only.
 
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