Data Type |
Use For |
Size |
Text |
Text or combinations of text and numbers, such as addresses. Also numbers that do not require calculations, such as phone numbers, part numbers, or postal codes. |
Up to 255 characters. Microsoft Access only stores the characters entered in a field; it does not store space characters for unused positions in a Text field. To control the maximum number of characters that can be entered, set the FieldSize property. |
Memo |
Lengthy text and numbers, such as notes or descriptions. |
Up to 64,000 characters. |
Number |
Numeric data to be used for mathematical calculations, except calculations involving money (use Currency type). Set the FieldSize property to define the specific Number type. |
1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes. 16 bytes for Replication ID (GUID) only. |
Date/Time |
Dates and times. |
8 bytes. |
Currency |
Currency values. Use the Currency data type to prevent rounding off during calculations. Accurate to 15 digits to the left of the decimal point and 4 digits to the right. |
8 bytes. |
AutoNumber |
Unique sequential (incrementing by 1) or random numbers automatically inserted when a record is added. |
4 bytes. 16 bytes for Replication ID (GUID) only. |
Yes/No |
Fields that will contain only one of two values, such as Yes/No, True/False, On/Off. |
1 bit. |
OLE Object |
Objects (such as Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, pictures, sounds, or other binary data), created in other programs using the OLE protocol, that can be linked to or embedded in a Microsoft Access table. You must use a bound object frame in a form or report to display the OLE object. |
Up to 1 gigabyte (limited by disk space). |
Hyperlink |
Field that will store hyperlinks. A hyperlink can be a UNC path or a URL. |
Up to 64,000 characters. |
Lookup Wizard |
Creates a field that allows you to choose a value from another table or from a list of values using a combo box. Choosing this option in the data type list starts a wizard to define this for you. |
The same size as the primary key field that is also the Lookup field; typically 4 bytes. |
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