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Autonumber resequencing data
Ray Eskridge 
    
5 years ago
I know what I'm about to talk about is forbidden (or at least a bad idea).  I understand why, but I still would like to do this "1 time fix".  I have a small database, 47 records.  I NEED to fix an autonumber field. When I delete the field, save the file, everything is in the correct order.  When I Insert a row and try to create an autonumber field called OrderNumber, it takes records 35,36,37, moves them to the beginning of the file and everything after that is in order.  IDEAS as to why or how I can fix this?
Ray Eskridge OP  @Reply  
    
5 years ago
Actually I just noticed that the sequence is 35,36,37,1-29,39-47,30-33.  So It REALLY messes the sequence of the Data up....
Alex Hedley  @Reply  
           
5 years ago
Are you ordering your Query by another Field?
Ray Eskridge OP  @Reply  
    
5 years ago
Thanks for replying.  There is no Query.  I'm simply doing everything in Design view.
Scott Axton  @Reply  
        
5 years ago
Ray you may only have 47 now but as you add and delete records it will never ever - EVER - stay in order.

It could be done - you could copy the table and choose structure only. Then import the data minus the id into the new table.
Then as you add records and delete them you are back to the  same problem.  Once an Autonumber is used it never gets used again.
You will find, over time, that you will use the queries to sort your data the way you want the records sorted.
Take the advice given on this site and just move on to the data part.  Ignore the Autonumber field totally except when relating the records together.
If you need to have a field that is numbered in order - say order numbers - check out this video:  Automatic Record Numbering
Watch the videos in the links as well.
Ray Eskridge OP  @Reply  
    
5 years ago
I appreciate you response.  I know I can be alittle anal at times.  Right now I'm mostly curious as to why Access is changing the order of my records without me asking it to do so...that is what I'm Curious to know the answer to.
Scott Axton  @Reply  
        
5 years ago
How do you have it sorted?  I'm assuming you are working directly with your table at this point.
If you sort by LastName for instance then add a new record it will be sorted by LastName if you close the table and re-open it.
If you sort by ID and close and re-open the table it will sort by ID. (assuming you said "yes" to save layout changes.)
The default is by ID unless you have sorted by some other method.
Go back and re-watch Access Beginner 1 Lessons Lesson 8 if this still isn't clear.
Ray Eskridge OP  @Reply  
    
5 years ago
I have a OrderNumber (the autonumber I'm trying to fix).  I have a field called CustomerID right next to it.  It is sorted by CustomerID.  So my steps are:  I delete the field OrderNumber in design view.  I save.  I open it to see what order it is in.  It is in CustomerID order.  I then go to design view and add the OrderNumber back in and make it an Autonumber.  Save.  Open it up and the data is still in Customer ID order, but the autonumbers jump around. they start with 4-32, then 46-50, then 1-2, then 51, then 33-45...but the data is still in the order that it was BEFORE I tried to add the autonumber field...Whats going on?
Scott Axton  @Reply  
        
5 years ago
Go back to my previous message.
Watch the videos again - twice if you need to.
DON'T sweat the small stuff!  Not worth obsessing over.  
The Auto number is just for Access to determine unique records.  It's not something for you to use or rely on for ordering records.

You are still in the crawling stage and your trying to run.  Get the basics down first.  It will make more sense as your journey progresses.
Scott Axton  @Reply  
        
5 years ago
BTW - I really can't tell you why it's doing what it is doing because,  "you just don't do that".
Richard Rost  @Reply  
          
5 years ago
The bottom line is that AutoNumbers are not for YOU. They're for Access. YOU shouldn't worry about what they are. They could be 1, 2, 3, or they could be complete random numbers. It doesn't matter they're for internal use only to ensure uniqueness for relationships. THAT'S IT. If you want sequential numbers, look at the video Scott posted, or this one: Custom Sequential Number

This thread is now CLOSED. If you wish to comment, start a NEW discussion in Access Forum.
 

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