Modifying tables introduction

You can redesign a table to add, delete, or modify fields.  However, if data already exists in a table, it becomes much more difficult.

• Why would it be difficult to add, delete or modify fields?
• If you add a field, you will have to enter data for that field for all existing records.
• If you delete a field, you risk losing important information.
• And if you modify a field’s properties, existing data might not meet the parameters you set and be converted, truncated or lost.

Changing forms and reports is, as you will see, very easy.  But now you see one reason why it is critically important to plan your tables before creating them.