ACC2: Query Generates "Field Length Is Too Long" Error Message

ID: Q128114

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

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

When you reference a form memo field in a query using the syntax 


   Forms![Formname]![Controlname]

you receive the error message:
Field length is too long.


CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the memo field contains more than 255 characters. Microsoft Access assumes that the control being referenced in the query is a text field, rather than a memo field, and text fields are limited to 255 characters.


RESOLUTION

Reference the memo field indirectly by calling an Access Basic function in the query that returns the field's contents. The following sample user- defined function demonstrates how to reference a memo control indirectly: 


   Function My_Memo()
      My_Memo = Forms![Formname]![Controlname]
   End Function

To call this function, replace the "Forms![Formname]![Controlname]" reference in the query with the name of the function.


MORE INFORMATION

Steps To Reproduce Behavior


  1. Open the sample database NWIND.MDB.


  2. Create a new form based on the Employees table.


  3. Drag the Notes field from the field list to the form.


  4. Save the form as Memo Lookup. View the form in Form view and then minimize the form.


  5. Create a new query based on the Employees table.


  6. Type Forms![Memo Lookup]![Notes] in the first column of the query grid.


  7. Run the query. You receive the error message state above.



STATUS

This behavior no longer occurs in Microsoft Access version 7.0.


REFERENCES

Microsoft Access "User's Guide," version 2.0, Appendix A, "Microsoft Access Specifications," page 707

Additional query words: query by form qbf 


Keywords          : kberrmsg kbusage QryAppnd 
Version           : 2.0
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: April 9, 1999