Troubleshoot problems when pasting data

In most cases, if Microsoft Access can't paste some or all of the data in a Microsoft Access database, it creates the Paste Errors table. In that case, Microsoft Access displays a message telling you that data will be added to the Paste Errors table.

There are several reasons why Microsoft Access will not paste some or all of your data:

• You tried to paste an entire field or fields without selecting a destination. You must select the field or fields that you want to paste to.
• You tried to paste more fields than the datasheet you're pasting to has, or more than the number of fields you selected as a destination. Microsoft Access doesn't paste the extra fields.
• You tried to paste a value that's not compatible with the data type of the field. For example, you tried to paste letters into a field in a Microsoft Access database with the Number data type or in a Microsoft Access project with the smallint data type.
• You tried to paste text that's too long for the field. The setting in the FieldSize property of an Access database or the Length column property in an Access project determines the maximum size of a field value. Check the field in table Design view in an Access database or Column Properties view in a database diagram in an Access project to see the setting.
• You tried to paste a duplicate value into the table's primary key, into a field that has the Indexed property set to No Duplicates in an Access database, or into a field with either a unique constraint or unique index in an Access project. Check the field in table Design view in an Access database or Column Properties view in a database diagram in an Access project to see the setting.
• You tried to paste data into a hidden field. This is not permitted. To display hidden columns, click Unhide Columns on the Format menu.
• In an Access database, you tried to remove data from or paste data into a disabled, locked, calculated, or AutoNumber field.
• You don't have permissions to add or edit data in the database object.
• A value you tried to paste isn't allowed in the field based on the settings of the ValidationRule, InputMask, Required (Access database only), or AllowZeroLength (Access database only) properties.
• The validation macro specified for the BeforeUpdate or OnInsert properties canceled the update. The data you tried to paste did not meet the validation requirements.

• When you paste records into a datasheet, Microsoft Access places them in the order they appear in the columns of the datasheet, regardless of the names of the fields. If you want the data to be pasted according to corresponding field names, paste them into a form in Form view.
• When you paste records into a form, Microsoft Access places them into fields with the same name as the source fields, regardless of their order on the form. However, if there are no matching field names, the data is placed according to the form's tab order, which may not be the order you intend.