ACC: Maximum Number of Rows in Table When Counter Is the Key

• Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 7.0, 97

SUMMARY

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

The maximum value of a Counter data type is the same as the maximum value of a Long Integer. A Long Integer is 32 bits long and has a maximum positive value of 2,147,483,647 and a minimum negative value of -2,147,483,648. If you use a Counter as the primary key, a table can contain up to four billion records. The maximum number of records in the table is also limited by the maximum size of a database.

Beginning with Microsoft Access for Windows 95 version 7.0, the Counter data type is called AutoNumber, which has a New Value property that enables you to set the record for either random or increment. If you choose random, values are assigned as Long Integer. Values in an AutoNumber field increment from 1 to 2,147,483,647. The next record receives the minimum negative value for a Long Integer,-2,147,483,648. The AutoNumber value for each subsequent record is one greater than the previous value, until it reaches zero.

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