Deleted column in a Table linked to 35,000 entries!

[johnsnellx]

Well, I sure could use some advice (& sympathy). In my Access program I
have a small table (200 entries) linked to a main table of over 35,000
entries. While trying to enter a small amount of data into a new table
(linked to the main table), I deleted the Zip code column. As you can
guess, now the large table doesn't have a zip code column. SO! Can
anyone pls tell me if I'm SOL on getting those ZIP Codes back(!), or,
at least how can I add that column again (even if it is blank) so I can
begin to re-enter the zip codes? I've tried adding a column and naming
it "Zip Codes", but this column isn't recognized as a zip code column
when trying to print out mailing labels (And any new column added
doesn't stay in the proper place after the "state" column--once I close
the program the new column shows up at the far left instead of where I
added it.
Yikes. Thanks for any advice. I'm obviously not very familiar with
Access, so layman terminology is helpful. Thanks again!!

[Red]

wow, you are so screwed....

best bet, install a backup... you do have a backup, right? :D

[Tim Marshall]

jo********@juno.com wrote:

Yikes. Thanks for any advice. I'm obviously not very familiar with
Access, so layman terminology is helpful. Thanks again!!

Hi JOhn,

AFAIK, you are indeed screwed... unless you have a backup from previously.

I know it'll be "I wish I'd realized that, now!", but it is never ever a
good idea to set things up so that you are entering information directly
into a table (except of course, for development purposes). That's one
of the reasons for forms, to protect the structure of the table(s),
which you, in this case inadvertently altered.

I cringed when I read your post... I've done similar in the past when I
was green starting work with dbs 8) - I hope there's a solution for you,
but other than back up, I don't think there is.

Other possible measures - are there any other similar tables in your or
other Access or other databases/spreadsheets anywhere in your
organization? It may be possible to import/update your zip codes that
way, but you need to find another source. Even if it's not as complete
as the table you have now, it'll be a start, at least.
--
Tim http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~tmarshal/
^o<
/#) "Burp-beep, burp-beep, burp-beep?" - Quaker Jake
/^^ "Whatcha doin?" - Ditto "TIM-MAY!!" - Me

[johnsnellx]

Thanks for replying. I do have some similar tables that probably do
have the Zip code column in them. That will be a start, although there
is no Zip Code column in the main table for which to enter any Zip
codes that I find...I tried to ad this column, but any new column I ad
is not linked in the same fashion as the old one that I deleted. I just
don't know enough about Access to figure this out.

Thank you for bringing up the other way to enter data other than
directly into a table. FORMS. I'll have to learn more about those.

I recommended JUST LAST MONTH that the company Back up this
database--But no one did.

Thanks again!

-Screwed Dude.