Left and right zero fill...

Create an update query.  Add the fieldname in question.  
Criteria is   Len([fieldname])<9
Update To is  "0"+[fieldname]

Execute this and repeat until you get the message saying "You are about to update 0 records" then you are done.


Make sure you have a backup... one typo could be ugly to your data.

I have this problem sometimes with capital letter fields - I use the ">" symbol in the format field but if the user enters a lowercase letter, the lowercase is saved while the uppercase is displayed.  The only way I work around it is to put code into the field's afterupdate event i.e.

Private Sub text1_afterupdate()
    text1 = iif(isnull(text1),text1,format(text1,"000000000")
End Sub


Using the format function in the afterupdate function will actually insert the zeros into the field.

jackedupshelby,

Try something like this:

select right('000000000'+trim(YourColumn),9)
  from YourTable;

mphel changed the proposed answer to a comment

The easiest option is to use the input mask.  Unfortunately, it would force your users to enter all 9 digits.  Therefore I think the only way you'll be able to do this is through code.
In the After_Update event for this field on your form, enter the following code (I'm calling the field/control "strZeroFilled"):
  strZeroFill = String$(9 - Len(strZeroFill), "0") & strZeroFill

The String$(x,"y") function will return the character in "y" x number of times.  String$(3,"0") would return 3 zeroes "000".  The number of zeroes I told it to use is 9 - Len(strZeroFill).  After that, I added the original value to the end.

(Wow, looks like we were all typing frantically at the same time!  I thot I was the only one here!  LOL)
BTW: I called the field "strZeroFill" *not* "strZeroFilled" (obviously, eh?)

This will also work:

Private Sub Text1_AfterUpdate()
  Text1.Value = Right("000000000" & Text1.Value, 9)
 
End Sub

You can replace text1.value iwth text1 if you want, since .value is the default property of a text box

When  you say the field "needs" to be 9 digits, I assumed that it was required, and that "000000000" should be entered if the user skips it. If you want to keep the field blank, then, similar to mphel's suggestion

text1 = iif(isnull(text1),text1,right("000000000" & text1,9))

Richard

Adjusted points from 100 to 150

Hey guys,Im sorry BUT these solutions are not working for me.. Maybe I should have told you that I am not a programmer..and I may need more details. The field name (column name) is Total_Bill. Does this matter...

Thank you

Field name doesn't matter too much... that you aren't a programmer is significant info, though! :-)
Let's see if we can get some clarifications from you...
This data is being edited on a form, correct?
And the data source for the form is a table/query?
The field Total_Bill is on the form?

If all that's true, do this:
1. In form design view, double-click Total_Bill.  That should cause the properties window to appear.  Or single-click Total_Bill and click (on the menu) View/Properties.

2. In the properties window, go to either the tab labelled "Event" or "All".

3. Click in the property/event "After Update"

4. Drop the combo box down and select [Event Procedure]

5. Click the button to the right with three dots on it (a.k.a. elipsis)

6. You should now be in a code window.  You should also be in the code that will run after the user types a value in the field: Total_Bill_AfterUpdate()

7. Copy and paste the following into the procedure (Your cursor should be sitting in the procedure):
  Total_Bill = String$(9 - Len(Total_Bill), "0") & Total_Bill

The procedure should look like this when you are done:
   Private Sub Total_Bill_AfterUpdate()
      Total_Bill = String$(9 - Len(Total_Bill), "0") & Total_Bill
   End Sub

If you need to update information that already exists in the table, I can tell you how to do that, too, just let me know.

Thank you everyone... Good work, I really appreciate this help.