How to create a multi-field primary key in Access using DAO in VBA?

I have a task in Access 2016 where I'm required to create a primary key consisting of multiple fields.  I need to do it in VBA code using the DAO model.  This is because it is a repetitive task and I need to loop through multiple tables setting a primary key each time the tables are replaced.  From what I can gather, what is needed are multiple fields to be added to the indexes collection and the primary key properties are set before the index is appended to the collection.  I would really prefer to receive some example code using VBA and DAO in Access so that I can work with the example and adapt it to my situation.  Thank you.
If Helen Feddema is available, that would be good.
Dave GoodmansonData AnalystAsked:
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PatHartmanCommented:
You need to use the Constraint clause of Alter Table

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb177883(v=office.12).aspx
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DatabaseMX (Joe Anderson - Microsoft Access MVP)Database Architect / Systems AnalystCommented:
Also as an alternative,  you could possibly create the Primary Key as an Auto Number, then create a Unique Index on the required fields.
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Gustav BrockCIOCommented:
You do it the usual way, just adding both fields to the index:

Set ThisTable = <your Table>

' Create a new Index object.
Set NewIndex = ThisTable.CreateIndex("NameOfIndex") 
NewIndex.Primary = False
NewIndex.Unique = False
NewIndex.IgnoreNulls = False

' Add fields.
Set ThisField = NewIndex.CreateField("NameOfFirstField")  
NewIndex.Fields.Append ThisField
Set ThisField = NewIndex.CreateField("NameOfSecondField")  
NewIndex.Fields.Append ThisField

' Append the compound index.
ThisTable.Indexes.Append NewIndex

Open in new window

/gustav
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Armen Stein - Microsoft Access MVP since 2006PresidentCommented:
I second Joe's advice - I really don't recommend composite primary keys.  They make everything harder down the line - child records, grandchild records, many-to-many relationships, etc.  Much better to use meaningless single primary keys (AutoNumber) and control duplicates with unique indexes.
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Dave GoodmansonData AnalystAuthor Commented:
I want to thank those who responded.  I appreciate Gustav's pseudo-code, that has helped my understanding of this issue.  The responses from Joe and Armen are relevant but in this situation I am using these keys on a temporary basis.  Once they have done their job on the temp tables they are set up on, I can delete them at the end.  But it is handy to know the code to create them quickly.
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Gustav BrockCIOCommented:
Pseudo-code? Please - I provided the exact answer to your question.

/gustav
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PatHartmanCommented:
Since you apparently didn't understand my link, here's further explanation with the link obfuscated so hopefully, you'll get to see it before it gets deleted.

http  ://  www     dot      orafaq      dot     com/faq/what_are_the_difference_between_ddl_dml_and_dcl_commands

I never write code when I have the option of using a query so my choice for modifying the schema would be DDL as described in the original link.  You run the DDL using .Execute
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Dave GoodmansonData AnalystAuthor Commented:
I obviously hadn't realised what a delicate group some of the Experts can be!  If I didn't understand something it is probably why I'm posting here in the first place.  Ask an expert.  Well I reconstructed your link and went to the oracle faq site.  OK, that's fine, so it has comments about various types of data language.  That's great, you have an opinion, I didn't find that it had a lot to do with my question.  But my question has been answered, and I've accepted the solution, so that's it.  Thank you!  Next question.
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PatHartmanCommented:
The first link explains how to do what you asked to do by using a query rather than writing code.
Here is the relevant example

This example creates a new table called MyTable with two text fields, a Date/Time field, and a unique index made up of all three fields.
Sub CreateTableX2()

    Dim dbs As Database

    ' Modify this line to include the path to Northwind
    ' on your computer.

    Set dbs = OpenDatabase("Northwind.mdb")

    ' Create a table with three fields and a unique
    ' index made up of all three fields.
    dbs.Execute "CREATE TABLE MyTable " _
        & "(FirstName CHAR, LastName CHAR, " _
        & "DateOfBirth DATETIME, " _
        & "CONSTRAINT MyTableConstraint UNIQUE " _
        & "(FirstName, LastName, DateOfBirth));"

    dbs.Close

End Sub
 
The second link (obfuscated) was to a site that explained what DDL, DML, DCL, and TCL are since not many people get beyond DML.
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Dave GoodmansonData AnalystAuthor Commented:
That's great, thanks very much Pat.
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