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Field Size

Resolved · High Priority · Version 2003

ReplyWed 21 Jul 2010, 15:58Delegate Kate said...

Field Size

Hi,
I have updated the field size of a number of fields in a database of about 1 million registrations to make them shorted (i previously had them set at max of 255 which was making a very large file). However instead of shrinking the file it has increased by 400 megabites.

Have i done something wrong?

I also got the error "not enough memory or disc space to complete the action" a few times and so had to do the changes in chunks.

Thanks,

Kate

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ReplyThu 22 Jul 2010, 08:35Trainer Stephen said...

RE: Field Size

Hi Kate

Thanks for your questions.

I would not expect any reduction in size. While access presets the field size for numeric and date data, it only uses sufficient memory to store what is entered in a text field.

It is however puzzling that the size increased, and your memory issues suggest that the file is too large for the memory on your PC

I suggest trying to compact and repair the database.

First back up the database. This is important, because if the database is too large for the memory this process could crash resulting in damage to the data.

This done, go to Tools - Database Utilities /-Compact Database to compact the database.

This might reduce the file size.

Regards

Stephen

ReplyThu 22 Jul 2010, 09:07Delegate Kate said...

RE: Field Size

Thanks, that's reduced the file size by 600 megs!! What exactly does it do?

Kate

ReplyThu 22 Jul 2010, 09:20Trainer Stephen said...

RE: Field Size

Hi Kate

Glad that worked.

When records or tables are deleted from an Access database the file size does not reduce. The Jet Database does not relinquish disc space automatically. The compact and repair database tool does this.

Regards

Stephen

ReplyThu 22 Jul 2010, 09:28Delegate Kate said...