Share via

Access database set Default Value of a short text field of another short text field

Emily Williams 0 Reputation points
2025-07-17T01:56:55.08+00:00

Hi there

I have an access database with a short text field called TM Description. I have created another short text field called BrandingDescription that I want to set the Default Value to the text entered in TM Description, ie the two fields would show the same value, however a user can change the value in BrandingDescription to be different, if necessary.

Is this possible? I have tried setting the Default Value of BrandingDescription to =[TM Description] but this gives me no results.

Developer technologies | VB
0 comments

4 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Viorel 123.6K Reputation points
    2025-07-17T07:43:37.3666667+00:00

    In case of queries, try this:

    select some_columns, [TM Description], Nz([BrandingDescription], [TM Description]) AS BrandingDescription
from MyTable

    Or define the table in this manner:

    • TM Description: Short Text
    • CustomBrandingDescription: Short Text
    • BrandingDescription: Calculated (non-editable), Expression: IIf(IsNull( [CustomBrandingDescription]), [TM Description], [CustomBrandingDescription])
  2. Varsha Dundigalla(INFOSYS LIMITED) 795 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff
    2025-07-21T05:27:34.6533333+00:00

    Thank you for reaching out. Please find the answer below:

    To make Branding Description default to TM Description:

    1. Table Fields
    • TM Description – Short Text
    • BrandingDescription – Short Text
    1. Form Setup
    • Bind the BrandingDescription textbox to the field (no expressions).
    • Add this VBA to the form’s module:
    Private Sub Form_Current()
    If Me.NewRecord Then
        If Nz(Me.BrandingDescription, "") = "" Then
            Me.BrandingDescription = Me.TM_Description
        End If
    End If
End Sub

Private Sub TM_Description_AfterUpdate()
    If Nz(Me.BrandingDescription, "") = "" Then
        Me.BrandingDescription = Me.TM_Description
    End If
End Sub

    Result:

    • Auto-fills BrandingDescription from TM Description for new records.
    • Users can freely edit BrandingDescription.

    Let us know if the issue persists after following these steps. We’ll be happy to assist further if needed.

  3. Anonymous
    2025-07-21T13:09:51.4566667+00:00

    select some_columns, [TM Description], Nz([BrandingDescription], [TM Description]) AS BrandingDescription

    from MyTable

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2025-07-21T13:10:16.8366667+00:00

    Me.NewRecord

    0 comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as Accepted Answers by the question author, which helps users to know the answer solved the author's problem.