Microsoft access cant save property changes for linked tables

I am working on an Access Database that I did not create.
I am trying to increase the number of characters that can be entered into a
form's combo box from 13 to around 50 or so. The constraint appears to be in
the table's properties. The data type is text and the field size is 13. When
I change the field size to something other than 13 and attempt to save, I get
the message:[Our company name] "Manager Version 2.01 can't save property
changes for linked tables".
How do I increase the number of characters allowed to entered?

Thank you,
Nathan

Hi, Nathan.

One cannot modify the field properties of a linked table. One can only
modify the properties of a table in the current database. The easiest way to
do that is to open the back end database (where the table linked to actually
resides) in Access, then open the table in Design View and select the field,
then modify its properties. One may also do it programmatically in VBA or
SQL, but that's more work and overkill if it only ever needs to be done once.

HTH.
Gunny

See //www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See //www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips.

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Thank you 69 Camaro.

That is helpful, but how do I find out what and where the back end database
is?

Nathan

'69 Camaro said:

Hi, Nathan.

One cannot modify the field properties of a linked table. One can only
modify the properties of a table in the current database. The easiest way to
do that is to open the back end database (where the table linked to actually
resides) in Access, then open the table in Design View and select the field,
then modify its properties. One may also do it programmatically in VBA or
SQL, but that's more work and overkill if it only ever needs to be done once.

HTH.
Gunny

See //www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See //www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips.

(Please remove ZERO_SPAM from my reply E-mail address so that a message will
be forwarded to me.)
- - -
If my answer has helped you, please sign in and answer yes to the question
"Did this post answer your question?" at the bottom of the message, which
adds your question and the answers to the database of answers. Remember that
questions answered the quickest are often from those who have a history of
rewarding the contributors who have taken the time to answer questions
correctly.

Nathan said:

I am working on an Access Database that I did not create.
I am trying to increase the number of characters that can be entered into a
form's combo box from 13 to around 50 or so. The constraint appears to be in
the table's properties. The data type is text and the field size is 13. When
I change the field size to something other than 13 and attempt to save, I get
the message:[Our company name] "Manager Version 2.01 can't save property
changes for linked tables".
How do I increase the number of characters allowed to entered?

Thank you,
Nathan

Hi, Nathan.

Select the Tools -> Options... menu to open the Options dialog window.
Select the View tab and then select the View System Objects check box.
Select the OK button to close the window. Select the Database Window and
then select the Tables tab. Scroll until you see the MSysObjects table.
Open this table in Datasheet View. Select the "Database" column and
right-click and type Not Null in the Filter For: text box in the pop-up
menu.

These are all of the linked tables' path and file names. To view which
table is in that database file, scroll right and check the "Name" column for
that record. You'll see the linked table's name.

HTH.
Gunny

See //www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See //www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips.

Nathan said:

Thank you 69 Camaro.

That is helpful, but how do I find out what and where the back end
database
is?

Nathan

'69 Camaro said:

Hi, Nathan.

One cannot modify the field properties of a linked table. One can only
modify the properties of a table in the current database. The easiest
way to
do that is to open the back end database (where the table linked to
actually
resides) in Access, then open the table in Design View and select the
field,
then modify its properties. One may also do it programmatically in VBA
or
SQL, but that's more work and overkill if it only ever needs to be done
once.

HTH.
Gunny

See //www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See //www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips.

(Please remove ZERO_SPAM from my reply E-mail address so that a message
will
be forwarded to me.)
- - -
If my answer has helped you, please sign in and answer yes to the
question
"Did this post answer your question?" at the bottom of the message, which
adds your question and the answers to the database of answers. Remember
that
questions answered the quickest are often from those who have a history
of
rewarding the contributors who have taken the time to answer questions
correctly.

Nathan said:

I am working on an Access Database that I did not create.
I am trying to increase the number of characters that can be entered
into a
form's combo box from 13 to around 50 or so. The constraint appears to
be in
the table's properties. The data type is text and the field size is 13.
When
I change the field size to something other than 13 and attempt to save,
I get
the message:[Our company name] "Manager Version 2.01 can't save
property
changes for linked tables".
How do I increase the number of characters allowed to entered?

Thank you,
Nathan