TIP 8: Reset the value of the AutoNumber field to 1.
The AutoNumber field is one of the primary key fields in Access. Access automatically assigns the next number for each new record according to the value (i.e., Increment or Random) selected for the New Value property field. (Note that null is not a valid entry for the AutoNumber field.) You can't manually enter or edit the value in an AutoNumber field, but you can reset this field to make it start renumbering entries beginning at 1, even if the table contains existing records. To transfer records out of a table, create a backup copy of the table by using the Copy or Save As function and delete all the existing records in the table. Select Tools from the Access toolbar, then Database Utilities, and select Compact and Repair Database while in the empty table. After you append the old records from the backup table, you should see the AutoNumber field restarted at 1.
TIP 9: Use the CanGrow and CanShrink properties for large text fields.
You'll find CanGrow and CanShrink properties on controls such as subreports, subforms, and textboxes, as well as on report sections. By default, the CanGrow property is set to No. To increase the vertical field length to accommodate the size of the data, set the CanGrow property to Yes. Report and form designers can't always predict the actual size of text in a record, so this setting is useful when you need to display large text fields, such as a memorandum. Verify that you have enough space around the field when positioning the control on the design view; otherwise, the CanShrink property won't function properly. For more information about custom functions you can use to eliminate unwanted spaces, see the Microsoft article "Eliminating Unwanted Blank Lines in Labels and Reports" at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/ HA011494721033.aspx.
TIP 10: Avoid updating the wrong reference library.
Are you supporting multiple Access databases or projects that users are developing through different versions of Access (e.g., Access 2003, Access XP)? Access 2003 lets you open Access databases in different versions. However, you need to ensure that you store separate copies of the reference libraries that the database file on your workstation uses. Otherwise, if you were to use Access 2003 to open and edit your Access XP database file, the Access XP library could be updated automatically to Access 2003 reference libraries, causing some of your VBA code to function improperly. Using the VBA editor, you can access your reference library by selecting Tools, then References. To be on the safe side, it's best to develop your Access database by using the same Access program version and patches that your users use.
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