Access 2007: Using Input Masks

Input Masks make data entry easier because it stores common text structures such as hyphens in
phone numbers.

Using A Built-In Input Mask

1. Open the table in Design View

2. Select the field you want to apply the Input Mask to
3. Click in the Properties section (or, Press [F6])
4. Click in the Input Mask Field
5. Click the Build button (…)

Figure 31. Input Mask Wizard - Choose an Input Mask

6. Choose the Built-in Input Mask you want to us

7. Click Next
Figure 32. Input Mask Wizard - Modify the Input Mask

8. Make any changes to the Input Mask

9. Click Next

Figure 33. Input Mask Wizard - Choose Storage Option

10. Choose to store the mask with or with the symbols

11. Click Next
 Figure 34. Input Mask Wizard - Complete

12. Click Finish

13. Save the table
14. Test the new Input Mask

Creating A Custom Input Mask

If none of the built-in Input Masks meet your needs, you can certainly create your own, but first
it would be helpful to understand more of the symbols used in the Input Mask and what they
mean.

Character Description
0 Digit (0 to 9, entry required, plus [+] and minus [–] signs not allowed).
9 Digit or space (entry not required, plus and minus signs not allowed).
# Digit or space (entry not required; spaces are displayed as blanks while in Edit
mode, but blanks are removed when data is saved; plus and minus signs
allowed).
L Letter (A to Z, entry required)
? Letter (A to Z, entry optional)
A Letter or digit (entry required)
A Letter or digit (entry optional)
& Any character or a space (entry required)
C Any character or a space (entry optional)
.,:;-/ Decimal placeholder and thousand, date, and time separators
< Causes all characters to be converted to lowercase
> Causes all characters to be converted to uppercase
! Causes the input mask to display from right to left, rather than from left to right.
Characters typed into the mask always fill it from left to right.
” Causes the character that follows to be displayed as the literal character (for
example, “A is displayed as just A)
Creating A Custom Input Mask
1. Open the table in Design View
2. Select the field you want to apply the Input Mask to
3. Click in the Properties section (or, Press [F6])
4. Click in the Input Mask Field
5. Click the Build button (…)

Figure 35. Input Mask Wizard - Choose Edit List

6. Choose Edit List

Figure. Customize Input Mask Wizard - Choose New Record

 7. Click the New Record button

Figure. Customize Input Mask Wizard - Enter Input Mask Details

8. Enter your Input Mask details

Figure 38. Customize Input Mask Wizard - Choose Close

9. Click Close
 Figure. Input Mask Wizard - Select Input Mask
10. Select your custom input mask
11. Click Next
12. Continue through the Input Mask Wizard
13. Save the table
14. Test the new Input Mask