How to Delete an ID Field in Microsoft Access

Avoid errors by carefully deleting your ID field.

Deleting a field in Microsoft Access can be simple or can require several steps, depending on the type of field. Identification fields in an Access table are often used as Primary Keys and have relationships with other tables. If you try to delete those types of fields, you will get a series of warnings and errors that will prevent you from carrying out the action. However, you can safely remove these fields by using a sequential process.

Instructions

1. Open the table with the ID field in Design View by right-clicking on the table in the Navigation Pane and selecting "Design View." If a yellow key appears next to the ID field, select the field and click on the "Primary Key" button on the ribbon at the top of the page. Primary keys are used to locate records in a table, and you can't delete a field if it is the Primary Key.

2. Click on the "Database Tools" tab on the ribbon and select "Relationships." This opens the relationships window that displays all of the connections between your various tables. If you don't see your table on the relationships window, click on the "Show Table" button and select the applicable table.

3. Right-click on any lines connecting your ID field with any other tables and press "Delete." Just as Primary Keys can't be deleted, relationships need to be deleted before removing the field from the table. If your ID field has no lines directing from it, it simply means that the field has not established any relationships.

4. Switch back to the table's Design View, right-click on the ID field and click "Delete Rows." Select "Yes" on the pop-up box that confirms you want to delete the field. This action cannot be undone, so make sure to select the correct field to delete.

Tips & Warnings

• Back up your database before deleting any fields. This way, if something goes wrong, you can restore your database to its full functionality.

References

• Microsoft Office: Delete a Field From a Table