how to format text box in access form to show 000 before serial number?

[buddyr]

Hello,
I am in microsoft access form - I want a field called serial number to have number display with 3 zeros before it. the serial number is always 5 digits. I have tried putting "00000000" in format of properties box and not working.
On the form the field is in a text box.
I have tried using stuff like me.serialnumber.text= format (serialnumber,"00000000") but I get to change first record but not the rest.
I am not figuring out input mask.
I have a feeling I am doing something thats basic wrong.
thank you

[pks00]

In that field's property, look for Format (easy way, click on Fornat tab then find format property - it might be set to General Number or something)

did u try just putting 00000000 in there?


is the serial number field defined as number in the table?

[buddyr]

I just tried putting 00000000 with out "" - still not showing - I believe in the table the field is text- should I make it a number- but some of serial numbers have letters in them

[pks00]

Being text would explain why u cant put them in

How are these serial numbers created in the first place
Could control that, ensure 000 is added in

[buddyr]

I have already imported data in database-40,000 records- I realize now I needed to format serial number field with the 3 extra 000- -
that is the why-
I had thought like you said I should just be able to put 00000000 in format of properties and it should do it - but it is not working-

[buddyr]

being it txt is the why - I see now re-reading your answer-
any ideas of anything I can do
thanks

[cgrider]

do you just want it to dispay the 3 0's or do you actually want to add the 3 0's to the underlying data in the table.

if it is the former then on the format property of the text box have it equal this
"000"@@@@@
that will add tthe 3 0s to the textbox
now if you want to add it to the underlying table you will need to create an update query for it. with the statement update tablename serialnumber = '000' & [serialnumber] or something simular to that


I hope this helps

CG

[buddyr]

yes that helps- I have to add to the serial number-
thank you- ( I probaly should of made question clearer in the beginning)

Thank you