SUMMARY

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

In Microsoft Access for Windows 95 version 7.0, you can insert columns into tables in Datasheet view. However, you cannot insert columns on linked tables because you cannot modify the structure of a table while you are linked to the table. To modify the table's structure, you must open the source document that contains the table and then make the structure modifications to the table in the source document. If the linked table is a Microsoft Access table, you must open the database that contains the table locally, and then modify the table while working in the source database.

If the database is secured, you must have read and modify permissions on the table to make structural changes, such as inserting a column.

The following example uses the Customers table in the sample database Northwind.mdb to demonstrate how to insert a column in a local table:

1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.
2. Open the Customers table in Datasheet view.
3. Place the pointer anywhere in the ContactName column.
4. On the Insert menu, click column. Note that a column labeled Field1 is inserted between the CompanyName field and the ContactName field. When you close the form, you are not prompted if you want to save the changes. To change the name of this field, you must view the table in Design view.
5. Close the Customers form.
6. Open the Customers form in Design view.
7. Select the row labeled Field1 by clicking in the gray column to the left of the field name.
8. Press the DELETE key to delete the column that you added in step 4 and to return the Customers table to its original structure. When you close the table, you are prompted if you want to save the changes. If you click Yes, the column is permanently removed from the table.

For more information about adding fields to a table, search on the phrase "add a field to a table," and then "Add a field to a table in Datasheet view," using the Microsoft Access for Windows 95 Answer Wizard.