ACC: RecordCount Property Returns Incorrect Number of Records

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

SYMPTOMS

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

The RecordCount property, when used with a recordset or snapshot, returns a recordset containing an incorrect number of records.

This article assumes that you are familiar with Visual Basic for Applications and with creating Microsoft Access applications using the programming tools provided with Microsoft Access. For more information about Visual Basic for Applications, please refer to your version of the "Building Applications with Microsoft Access" manual.

NOTE: Visual Basic for Applications is called Access Basic in Microsoft Access versions 1.x and 2.0. For more information about Access Basic, please refer to the "Introduction to Programming" manual in Microsoft Access version 1.x or the "Building Applications" manual in Microsoft Access version 2.0.

CAUSE

For recordsets and snapshots, Microsoft Access does not automatically return the number of records that exist in the recordset. It returns the number of records accessed.

RESOLUTION

To determine the exact number of records in a dynaset or snapshot, use the MoveLast method before checking the RecordCount property.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

The following Visual Basic function, MyWrongRecordCount(), returns the number 1 for the Customers table in the sample database Northwind.mdb (or NWIND.MDB in versions 1.x and 2.0) because only one record has been accessed. The MyRightRecordCount() function uses the MoveLast method first to access all records in the dynaset and then to return the RecordCount value.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb (or NWIND.MDB in versions 1.x and 2.0).

2. Create a module and type the following line in the Declarations section:

         Option Explicit
   

3. Type the following procedures:

   In Microsoft Access 7.0 and 97:

         '===========================================================
         ' The following function, MyWrongRecordCount(), demonstrates
         ' the incorrect way to use the RecordCount property to count
         ' records in a dynaset.
         '===========================================================
         Function MyWrongRecordCount ()
            Dim MyDB As Database
            Dim MyRS as Recordset
            Set MyDB = CurrentDB()
            Set MyRS = MyDb.OpenRecordset("Customers", dbOpenDynaset)
            MyWrongRecordCount = MyRS.RecordCount
            MyRS.Close
         End Function
   
         '===========================================================
         ' The following function, MyRightRecordCount(), demonstrates
         ' the correct way to use the RecordCount property to count
         ' records in a dynaset.
         '===========================================================
         Function MyRightRecordCount ()
            Dim MyDB As Database
            Dim MyRS as Recordset
            Set MyDB = CurrentDB()
            Set MyRS = MyDb.OpenRecordset("Customers", dbOpenDynaset)
            MyRS.MoveLast
            MyRightRecordCount = MyRS.RecordCount
            MyRS.Close
         End Function
   
      In Microsoft Access 2.0:
   
         '===========================================================
         ' The following function, MyWrongRecordCount(), demonstrates
         ' the incorrect way to use the RecordCount property to count
         ' records in a dynaset.
         '===========================================================
         Function MyWrongRecordCount ()
            Dim MyDB As Database
            Dim MyRS as Recordset
            Set MyDB = CurrentDB()
            Set MyRS = MyDb.OpenRecordset("Customers", DB_OPEN_DYNASET)
            MyWrongRecordCount = MyRS.RecordCount
            MyRS.Close
         End Function
   
         '===========================================================
         ' The following function, MyRightRecordCount(), demonstrates
         ' the correct way to use the RecordCount property to count
         ' records in a dynaset.
         '===========================================================
         Function MyRightRecordCount ()
            Dim MyDB As Database
            Dim MyRS as Recordset
            Set MyDB = CurrentDB()
            Set MyRS = MyDb.OpenRecordset("Customers", DB_OPEN_DYNASET)
            MyRS.MoveLast
            MyRightRecordCount = MyRS.RecordCount
            MyRS.Close
         End Function
   
      In Microsoft Access 1.x:
   
         '===========================================================
         ' The following function, MyWrongRecordCount(), demonstrates
         ' the incorrect way to use the RecordCount property to count
         ' records in a dynaset.
         '===========================================================
         Function MyWrongRecordCount ()
            Dim MyDB As Database
            Dim MyRS as Dynaset
            Set MyDB = CurrentDB()
            Set MyRS = MyDb.CreateDynaset("Customers")
            MyWrongRecordCount = MyRS.RecordCount
            MyRS.Close
         End Function
   
         '===========================================================
         ' The following function, MyRightRecordCount(), demonstrates
         ' the correct way to use the RecordCount property to count
         ' records in a dynaset.
         '===========================================================
         Function MyRightRecordCount ()
            Dim MyDB As Database
            Dim MyRS as Dynaset
            Set MyDB = CurrentDB()
            Set MyRS = MyDb.CreateDynaset("Customers")
            MyRS.MoveLast
            MyRightRecordCount = MyRS.RecordCount
            MyRS.Close
         End Function
   
   

4. To test these functions, type the following lines in the Debug window (or Immediate window in versions 1.x and 2.0), and then press ENTER.

         ?MyWrongRecordCount()
   

   Note that the function returns 1.

         ?MyRightRecordCount()
   

   Note that the function returns the correct number of records in the Customers table.

REFERENCES

For more information about RecordCount Property, search the Help Index for "RecordCount Property," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.