How to Create a Yes/No, On/Off or True/False Field in Access 2003

You keep your data in a field in Access 2003. A Yes/No, On/Off or True/False field answers a simple question. It's an easy data type to use and understand, and even easier to set up.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Access 2003

Instructions

1. Open Microsoft Access 2003. Open an existing database or go to the database window.

2. Select the "Tables" button.

3. Double-click the "Create Table in Design View" option, which will open the "design view" window.

4. Enter a descriptive name for your field in the first blank space under "Field Name." For example: "Active," "Retired," or "In stock."

5. Select a data type. From the drop-down menu, choose "Yes/No."

6. Set field properties. Below, you'll see a list of field properties. Click the "General" tab.

7. Set the field size. This value determines how many characters will fit in the field.

8. Set the format. Change this to switch between Yes/No, On/Off or True/False.

9. Right-click on other options and select "What's this?" You probably won't need to change the other options, but if you are curious, click "What's this?" to discover how it functions.

Tips & Warnings

• There are nine other field data types at your disposal. Learn how each one functions in order to create more useful databases.

• Made a mistake? Before you try to fix anything manually, see if pressing "Ctrl" and "Z" together will correct the error.

• Back up often. Habitually save after every major change.