ACC2: How to Format Data in Combo Boxes and List Boxes

• Microsoft Access version 2.0

SUMMARY

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

Microsoft Access displays data in list boxes and combo boxes whose RowSource property is set to a table or query using the format defined in the underlying fields' Format property.

If you want the data in a list box or combo box to be displayed with a different format, you can create a query and set the fields' formats using the query's Format property, or you can use the Format() function in an expression.

If a list box or combo box's RowSource property is set to an SQL statement, a field's Format property will have no affect on how the data is displayed, because SQL statements do not contain or specify any formatting information.

NOTE: In version 7.0, combo boxes have a Format property.

MORE INFORMATION

To change the format for a field in a query, follow these steps:

1. Select the field in the query grid.

2. From the View menu, choose Properties.

3. Select one of the predefined formats in the Format property box, or enter an expression to format the field.

4. Close the property sheet.

• The expression

        format([MyDate],"dddd mmmm d, yyyy")
  

  will display the date 1/1/94 as:

        Saturday January 1, 1994
  

• The expression

        format([MyNumber],"$#,##0;($#,##0)")
  

  will display the number 1256 as

        $1,256
  

  and will display the number -1256 as:

        ($1,256)
  

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