Unable to change from "text" fieldtype to "memo" fieldtype in a table

[Mejmeyster]

Hi Everyone,

I have a table in which one of the text fields has become too small (since it only holds 255 characters). To remedy that, I'm trying to change the data type of that field to "memo" in design mode. However, when I go to save the new settings of my table, the error message "Record is too large" pops up and won't allow me to save the table. What am I doing wrong? I work with Access 97 in Windows XP.

Thanks for your help!

[missinglinq]

Not a clue! This kind of thing might be expected if you were going the other way, i.e. changing a memo field to a text field, but even then I believe it just warns you that you may lose data and lets you proceed. I don't have access to a copy Access97 and so cannot check the limits on record size. In Access 2000 onward the limits are 2,000 characters EXCLUDING memo fields and OLE, but that may not be the case with '97. You might want to check out Help for the specs on your version. Also, you are sure that your text field size is actually set at 255 characters? That is the limit, but when setting up a table the size default's to 50 unless modified.

[MMcCarthy]

Hi Everyone,

I have a table in which one of the text fields has become too small (since it only holds 255 characters). To remedy that, I'm trying to change the data type of that field to "memo" in design mode. However, when I go to save the new settings of my table, the error message "Record is too large" pops up and won't allow me to save the table. What am I doing wrong? I work with Access 97 in Windows XP.

Thanks for your help!

Have you tried to add a new memo field and copy over the existing data then delete the text field.

[Mejmeyster]

Have you tried to add a new memo field and copy over the existing data then delete the text field.

Yep, that's what I ended up doing. Thanks so much!