Force Text Field To Always Be 4 Characters

[June7]

That format function mask will not work with an alpha character in the data. Also, since the letters a and A are mask characters (remember, Access is not case sensitive by default), must have something to do with causing the 0000 return.



I, too, wonder what the OP's data is really like.

[ArviLaanemets]

OP did say at start, the data are alphanumeric - i.e. this is a text field.

=Right("0000" & StartValue,Iif(Len(StartValue)>4.Len(StartValue),4 ))
or
=Right("0000" & StartValue,4)
in case the field length is limited with 4 characters.

[June7]

Delightful, Arvil!

We are confused because OP said the Format() suggestion solved the issue.

Micron, I do use control's AfterUpdate event to save altered user input.

[Micron]

Micron, I do use control's AfterUpdate event to save altered user input.

When that control is bound to the record that the form is on? I think you'll find that trying to update a bound control via code will generate an error when the form has a lock on that record. At least it does for me. I don't have "no locks" as a locking setting.

[pbaldy]

I do it all the time. This validates their entry, dropping fat-fingers when they enter more than 2 decimal points:

Private Sub txtCashTips_AfterUpdate()
  Me.txtCashTips = DropDigits(Me.txtCashTips)
End Sub

[John_G]

This should work (tested) :

=replace(format("AB","@@@@")," ","0")

The "@" forces leading blanks on the string, and the replace changes the leading blanks to "0", so the example above yields "00AB"

[June7]

Yes, Micron, it works. DB been running for 10 years. I've never changed record locking on any database.

[Micron]

Ummm, turns out I was trying to DoCmd.RunSql on the field to alter the value...

John_G's expression works for any record if I replace the literal "AB" with a control reference.