PRA: "#" Character in Input Mask Causes Unexpected Behavior

Article ID: Q116385
Creation Date: 20-JUN-1994
Revision Date: 19-SEP-1996

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Access versions 2.0, 7.0

SYMPTOMS

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

When you enter data in a text field that uses the "#" character as part of an input mask, spaces that you enter with the LEFT ARROW and RIGHT ARROW keys may not be converted properly when the record is saved.

RESOLUTION

There are two workarounds for this behavior:

Use the spacebar, instead of the LEFT ARROW and RIGHT ARROW keys, to move in the text field.

Change the InputMask property to save the field as it is displayed. To do this, add ";0" (without the quotation marks) to the end of the input mask in Design view. For example, given the input mask
```
      ###" Next Number"###" End"
```
you can cause Microsoft Access to save the field as it is displayed by changing the input mask to:
```
      ###" Next Number"###" End";0
```
Note that if you use this method, Microsoft Access stores the literal display characters in the table when you enter data.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Access version 2.0 and 7.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Problem

Start Microsoft Access and open any database.

Create a new table (In version 7.0, when the New Table dialog appears, click Design View, and then click OK.

Add a text field called Test Input Mask to the table. Set the field's input mask to the following:
```
      ###" Next Number"###" End"
```
Save the table as 'TryMe' and then view it in Datasheet view (Do not be concerned with saving the table with a primary key).
Type "1" (without the quotation marks) in the first entry position in

the

   field. Press the RIGHT ARROW key twice to move the next entry position,
   and then type "1" (without the quotation marks) in the second entry
   position.

Press TAB to exit the field. Note that the data is saved as

      11 Next Number  End

   instead of

      1 Next Number 1 End

If you press the SPACEBAR instead of the RIGHT ARROW key in the example above, the data will be saved correctly. Note that using the mouse to move from the first entry position to the second entry position will also cause the problem to occur. This problem occurs with both tables and forms.

REFERENCES

For more information about the InputMask property, search for "InputMask," and then "InputMask Property" using the Microsoft Access Help menu.

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