Overview

If you wish to change the datatype of a field after data has been entered simply follow the procedure detailed below. This TechNote will walk you through the following:

• Creating a new column in your table and a new field on your form of the desired datatype
• Moving the data from the old column into the new column.
• Deleting the old field and column.

Steps

1. Open the Form Editor (Options/Utilities/Create or Modify Form).
   
   
2. Select the [ab] tool from the Toolbar, place the field in any available blank space on your form, and select New rather than picking from the columns listed.
   
   
3. Assign the column a name and label similar to but different than the preexisting column currently holding your data.
   
   
4. Save your changes and exit the form editor.
   
   
5. Open your database in Column Display and Edit Mode.
   
   
6. Click on the Fields column label to access the Fields List. Select the newly created column by double clicking on it. Move this new empty column so that it is directly next to the column containing the data you wish to convert.
   
   
7. Right click on the column label for the empty column and select Replace Info.
   
   
8. Select the Advanced Replace Tab. The Field to Replace will default to the current field. How to Replace should be set to Entire Field. In the Replace With area select the field with the data you wish to convert from the pop down list.
   
   
9. After the Replace is done running, check the data in the new column to make sure it transferred correctly.
   
   
10. Then go through steps 7-9 on the first field, but this time run a simple Replace with the following settings: Field to Replace should be the chosen field and Replace With should be set to Entire Field. Type nothing in the field and run the Replace. This will delete the data from the entire column.
    
    
11. Open Form Editor again (Options/Utilities/Create or Modify Form). Close the form (File/Close Form) and go to File/Alter Table.
    
    
12. Select your form from the list on the left. Select the column you just cleared from the list on the right. Select the Delete Column button.
    
    
13. Open your form again (File/Open Form).
    
    
14. Delete the field for the column you just deleted. Move the new field to the location of the previous.
    
    
15. Save your changes and Close the Form Editor.
    
    
16. Check, Pack and Blaze your database (Options/Utilities).