Field data types available in Access (MDB)
Note The information in this topic applies only to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb).
The following list summarizes all the field data types available in Microsoft Access, their uses, and their storage sizes.
- Text
- Use for text or combinations of text and numbers, such as addresses, or for numbers that do not require calculations, such as phone numbers, part numbers, or postal codes.
- Stores up to 255 characters. The FieldSize property controls the maximum number of characters that can be entered.
- Memo
- Use for lengthy text and numbers, such as notes or descriptions.
- Stores up to 65,536 characters.
- Number
- Use for data to be included in mathematical calculations, except calculations involving money (use Currency type).
- Stores 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes; stores 16 bytes for Replication ID (GUID). The FieldSize property defines the specific Number type.
- Date/Time
- Use for dates and times.
- Stores 8 bytes.
- Currency
- Use for currency values and to prevent rounding off during calculations.
- Stores 8 bytes.
- AutoNumber
- Use for unique sequential (incrementing by 1) or random numbers that are automatically inserted when a record is added.
- Stores 4 bytes; stores 16 bytes for Replication ID (GUID).
- Yes/No
- Use for data that can be only one of two possible values, such as Yes/No, True/False, On/Off. Null values are not allowed.
- Stores 1 bit.
- OLE Object
- Use for OLE objects (such as Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, pictures, sounds, or other binary data) that were created in other programs using the OLE protocol.
- Stores up to 1 gigabyte (limited by disk space).
- Hyperlink
- Use for hyperlinks. A hyperlink can be a UNC path or a URL.
- Stores up to 64,000 characters.
- Lookup Wizard
- Use to create a field that allows you to choose a value from another table or from a list of values using a combo box
— -choosing this option in the data type list starts a wizard to define this for you. - Requires the same storage size as the primary key that corresponds to the Lookup field
— -typically 4 bytes.