How to Require That Data Be Entered in a Microsoft Access Field

You can make certain Access fields "required," which ensures that necessary information cannot be left out of the database, either accidentally or deliberately. For example, in a customer database, a first and last name and address might be required, while a phone number might be optional. These instructions apply to Microsoft Access 97.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Access

Instructions

1. Open a table in Design view.

2. Click in the field that you want to make a required field. Alternatively, create a new field.

3. Examine the Field Properties window below. Locate the field that is labeled Required.

4. Click in Required. An arrow appears.

5. Click in the arrow to obtain a menu.

6. The menu items are Yes or No. Select Yes. From now on, you will not be able to close the table until you have entered values in that field.

7. Save your table.

Tips & Warnings

• It is simplest to make a field required at the time you create the table. If you change a field to required after the table contains records, MS Access will test each entry to ensure that the entries are recorded properly. This can be time-consuming if you have many records.