Specific input masks

[Yasmin Bell]

I am trying to create an input mask in Access 2007 where I specify the exact data that can be typed into certain fields but every time I try to do so whatever I type into the input mask shows up in the table's field when I go to put an answer in it.
eg. I would like one particular field to only have the answers 'D' or 'P' typed into it but I can't seem to make an input mask that allows this. I tried the input mask:
"D","P"
but it turns out that typing that into the input mask box makes that appear in the field and doesn't let me type an answer.

Help! :(

[NeoPa]

Yasmin, there is no facility within the Input Mask specification to allow you to specify a list of acceptable characters. There are various facilities that limit what can be typed in, but if you want to specify which characters (or more precisely which entries) can be accepted then you may want to look at the Validation Rule property instead.

All the details you need of any property can be found by clicking on the property of interest then pressing F1 for context-sensitive help. There's a lot in there, and it should always be your first port of call for simple questions.

[Rabbit]

Or you could use a drop down with the options D and P.

[Yasmin Bell]

ok, thanks very much NeoPa :)
I feel like a bit of an idiot for not figuring out myself that I should be using validation rule. I've not used Access in over a year though and can't remember at all how to use it.

[NeoPa]

I'm sure once you start playing with it again it will all come back to you Yasmin. And for the rest, well we're here :-)

[Yasmin Bell]

yeah I'm getting the hang of it now thankfully. Cheers again :)