Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Microsoft Access program problem

Jun 16, 2004 8:07AM PDT

I am trying to add another field to my table that has less than half of the 255 max allowed, but it will not let me add one. It says too many fields defined. What can I do?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re: Microsoft Access program problem
Jun 16, 2004 9:29AM PDT

"Tip: If you are asking for help to troubleshoot a computer-related problem, please be sure to include all the necessary information (ie: operating system, model number, hardware, software, etc) that will help others identify your problem for a speedy resolution."

1. No OS mentioned.
2. Version of Access omitted.
3. "Error message" paraphrased. Hint: Use quotes, don't rewrite.

Fill in the blanks so an on target answer can be found.

Bob

- Collapse -
Re: Microsoft Access program problem
Jun 18, 2004 3:57AM PDT

Info from the Microsoft website may or may not apply to your situation...

==============
SYMPTOMS
When you save a table after you add a new field or change the properties of an existing field, you receive the following error message:

Too many fields defined.
This message is followed by:

Errors were encountered during save. Data types were not changed.
You receive these messages even though you have 255 or fewer fields defined in the table.

NOTE: You also receive this message if you add or modify fields in a report that is based on a table that has too many fields.
CAUSE
The internal column count that Microsoft Access uses to track the number of fields in the table has reached 255, even though you may have fewer than 255 fields in the table. This can happen because Access does not change the internal column count when you delete a field. Access also creates a new field (increasing the internal column count by 1) for every field whose properties you modify.
RESOLUTION
To free the internal column count for deleted fields or for fields whose properties you modify, do one of the following:


Compact the database. To do so, point to Database Utilities on the Tools menu, and then click Compact and Repair Database.

-or-
Create a new copy of the table. To do so, follow these steps:
Make note of any relationships with the table.
Select the table.
On the File menu, click Save As.
In the Save Table 'table name' To box, type a new name, and then click OK.
Select the same table that you selected in step 2, and then press DELETE.
Rename the table that you saved in step 3 to the original table name.
Re-establish any relationships with the new table.
MORE INFORMATION
In Access, you can define up to 255 fields in a table. If you create 255 fields and then delete 10, Access does not release the fields from the internal column count. Also, for every field whose properties you modify, Access creates a new field and does not release the original field from the internal column count.
==============

URL: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;291556&Product=acc