Microsoft Access Tips for Casual Users

Provided by Allen Browne, allenbrowne.com

Introduction to Hyperlink fields

Access 97 introduced this field type for storing links to files on:

• your computer (a file name);
• a network (a UNC name);
• the internet (a URL address).

A hyperlink entry contains three parts separated by pound signs (#). The template is:

    display text # file name # any reference within the file

Use the Insert menu to add a hyperlink entry, and Access takes care of the three parts. Only the "display text" part of the field is shown, and clicking on the field executes the link.

So how can you view its full contents or edit the field?

1. Click the attached label, to move the cursor into the hyperlink field. (If the field has no label, use the Tab key.)
2. Press F2 to edit the field. All three parts of the hyperlink are displayed for editing.

Some examples may help show how this works:

• * The word "Query" in this hyperlink is optional. However, if the current database had a form named Sales, Access would open the form in preference to the query.