Table - Too many fields defined - Access 2000

We have a simple table set up for customers. The table only consists of 4 fields, CustID, Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial. All fields were originally set up as text for "data type".

We are now trying to change the CustID's data type to number. This is also our primary key in this table. When we save the table we get an error "too many fields defined". It will not allow a save unless we change it back to text.

Has anybody had this happen to them before, or possibly know why we are having this problem.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Jones

When you change the characteristics of a field (it's type, length, or
whatever), Access (really, the database engine MS Jet) create a new field
"behind the scenes". The limit of 255 fields includes those "behind the
scenes" ones. All you need to do, is to compact the database. This discards
the "behind the scenes" fields, and resets the internal count to the actual
(visible) # of fields. Then your change will work ok.

HTH,
TC


"Jones" wrote in message
...
We have a simple table set up for customers. The table only consists of 4
fields, CustID, Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial. All fields were
originally set up as text for "data type".

We are now trying to change the CustID's data type to number. This is
also our primary key in this table. When we save the table we get an error
"too many fields defined". It will not allow a save unless we change it
back to text.

Has anybody had this happen to them before, or possibly know why we are
having this problem.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Jones