RE: Primary Key in Access

Hi Rez

Thanks for your question - sorry about the delay in replying.

I'm not sure why the error message is coming up, but with defining your own start number try the following:

Before you begin, if your original table contains property settings that prevent Null values in fields, you must temporarily change those properties. These settings include:
The Required field property set to Yes
The Indexed field property set to Yes (No Duplicates)
A field and/or record ValidationRule property that prevents Null values in fields

Then:
1. Create a temporary table with just one field: a Number field. Set its FieldSize property to Long Integer and give it the same name as the AutoNumber field in the table whose value you want to change.

2. In Datasheet view, enter a value in the Number field of the temporary table that is one (1) less than the starting value you want for the AutoNumber field. For example, if you want the AutoNumber field to start at 100, enter 99 in the Number field.

3. Create and run an append query to append the temporary table to the table whose AutoNumber value you want to change.

4. Delete the temporary table.

5. Delete the record added by the append query.

6. If you had to disable property settings in step 1, return them to their original settings.
When you enter a record in the remaining table, Microsoft Access uses an AutoNumber field value one (1) greater than the value you entered in the temporary table.

I hope this helps.
Amanda