How Can I Exceed 255 Fields in a Table?

[JayKe]

Hello,


This is my first ever post and I'm still somewhat of an Access novice.

So please forgive me if I don't communicate my problem clearly.

I built an Access Database (at work in Access 2007) that has over a thousand records. It contains two subforms. I constructed it as follows:

• Built my MainForm (frmMain) to record report details (like serial number, title, date, time, etc.)
  
  • This data goes to MainTable (tblMain) and there's only one record per report
  
  
• Built and inserted SubFormNames (frmNames) to record names in report
  
  • This contains multiple records {has its own table (tblNames)} and is linked to tblMain/frmMain by serial number
  
  
• Built and inserted SubFormCharacteristics (frmCharacteristics) to record events and characteristics using one text box for narrative (e.g. suspect robbed bank on 12th and Second Street), multiple yes/no check boxes (e.g. Perpetrator armed?, Multiple perpetrators, etc....), and several multivalued fields.
  
  • This contains multiple records {has its own table (tblCharacteristics)} and is linked to tblMain/frmMain by serial number

Here's my problem. I've reached the limit of 255 fields in the tblCharacteristics and I wish to add more characteristics.

I created tblCharacteristics2 and tried adding those fields to tblCharacteristics but it doesn't work.

I really don't want to create a frmCharacteristics 2 because all of my characteristics are alphabetized in frmCharacteristics and I would have to jump back and forth between the two subforms to enter my work. Additionally, I'm not sure how I could link the checkboxes in tblCharacteristics2 to the narrative in tblCharacteristics (or tblCharacteristics).

I would really appreciate any help you can give me. ~Jayke

[June7]

If you have reached 255 fields (this is unusual) then I suspect your data structure is not sufficiently normalized.

[John_G]

The answer to your question - How can I exceed 255 fields in a table - is you can't.

As June7 pointed out, your data may not be properly normalized. If it is normalized, than you will have to find a different structure to do what you need to do.

If you post your table structure, we should be able to offer some suggestions.

HTH

John

[JayKe]

Thank you. I'll research the concept of "normalized" to see what I can do. I saw a note about providing the structure of the db to allow you to better help. Unfortunately, I'm not permitted to copy from my work computer to bring it home. But, if I could I would. I know it would only take folks like you only a few minutes to help me resolve my problem. Thanks again.