How Do You Decide Which Datatype To Use In A Microsoft Access Table Field?
The default datatype for a Microsoft Access field is text, but you can specify others. Choosing the most specific datatype ensures that you will get the results you want from your queries and searches. These instructions apply to MS Access 97. Use Text if your field will contain text (letters) or a combination of letters and numbers, or numbers that are not currency or will never be calculated. For example, you could select a text datatype for a field that will contain addresses and street numbers or telephone numbers. You can sort text fields, but they sort alphabetically, not numerically. Use Currency if your text field will contain money or if you want a high degree of accuracy in your calculations. Currency data fields calculate to 15 decimal places. Currency fields sort numerically and can be used to perform calculations. Use the Memo datatype to enter lengthy notes or numbers. Memo datatype fields cannot be used to sort or index records or to perform calculations. Use the Number
