Is it possible to delete all of a column's data in access without deleting the field?
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6 Answers
Run a query. Here's the SQL, substitute in the actual values:
Update [Table Name] Set [Field Name] = null
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Or you can go into the interactive table data editor and just highlight all the rows and hit delete; that should set them to null (I think) or their default value if nulls aren't allowed. Sep 19, 2012 at 19:49
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Dunno why I didn't think of that, I've become too reliant on the GUI lately. Sep 19, 2012 at 20:32
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1@allquixotic FYI: Doing that with a table actually asks if you want to delete the fields (which means remove them from the table all together). Doing the same thing in a query just has no affect.– DanielSep 19, 2012 at 21:23
Just select the column and hit option H to replace data. Put and asterisk in the first box and leave the second box blank. Simplest way to do it.
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It's a little more than what user348469 said, for example you have to choose current field for the "Look in" parameter but his answer definitely helped me as I needed to replace info in filtered Datasheet view– user408341Jan 13, 2015 at 23:39
The easiest way is to copy another column with the same number of records where each field in that column has no value....then just select, copy, paste...done....
Much simpler: right click on the column header in access, select copy. Now go to excel and paste into a excel column. Now hit the delete key, then copy that. Go back to access right click column header and paste. Done.
Note: When selecting what to copy in excel may want to exclude column header or may get extra blank record.
Select the field in table view
Open Find and Replace
Find What: *
Look In: Current Field
Replace all
That's it.
Go to the table's Design View and delete the column in question. Then add a new field with the same name as the column you just deleted.
This is the fastest option, particularly if you're dealing with a large table with many millions of rows, because the other listed options will take several minutes while Access is "thinking through" your copy/paste or find/replace criteria. This method is basically instantaneous.
