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Use "-" in the unique field

Hi, does it make any difference whether or not I will use "-" in the Unique number field.

Example "1111111111-222222". We have such field in master file for reporting purposes.

Unique field is the main field we use for programming, groupping, indexing, reporting etc.

Is this OK to use field "1111111111-222222" or I have to use field "1111111111222222" as primary key and use field ""1111111111-222222" for reporting purposes

DatabaseMX (Joe Anderson - Former Microsoft Access MVP)

Why not use the Access Auto Number as your Primary Key ... then it becomes a non-issue.

mx

lee555J5

You can use "-" in a unique number field. However, it is obviously text and not a number. Neither will it be automatically incremented as an Autonumber type. Your only requirements would be uniqueness.

maximyshka

ASKER

I have a field in the format 1111111121-2222222 which I want to use as primary key. Yes this field i text. Incrementing not needed

lee555J5

Then, yes, you may include and use the "-".

Lee

maximyshka

ASKER

MX, autonumber will not work. Value "1111111121-2222222" is uniquely identify all information about this loan.

Something similar to composite key

1111111121
2222222

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lee555J5

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DatabaseMX (Joe Anderson - Former Microsoft Access MVP)

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