How to: Define an input mask using a wizard.
Solution:
In the 'Field Properties' section of the Table Design view, select the 'InputMask' property box for the desired field, click 'Build', and follow the instructions for the 'Input Mask Wizard'.
1) If the Database window is not active, activate the Database window.
2) Open the table in the Table Design view.
3) Select the field for which to define an input mask.
4) Move to the 'Field Properties' section.
Field Properties section
5) Click the 'General' tab.
6) Click in the 'Input Mask' property box. (The Build button, with '...' on it, appears next to the property box.)
7) Click the 'Build' button. (The Input Mask Wizard dialog box appears.)
Build button
8) Select the desired input mask from the list box.
Input Mask
NOTE 1: The 'Input Mask' list displays the names of the possible input masks to choose from, and the 'Data Look' list shows how each causes data to look.
NOTE 2: To change the list of input masks in the 'Input Mask' list box, choose the 'Edit List' button.
9) (Optional) To test how the input mask works:
a) Click in the beginning of the 'Try It' box. (The selected mask appears.)
b) Type the data.
10) Click 'Next'.
11) (Optional) To alter the selected input mask, make the desired changes in the 'Input Mask' box.
Input Mask box
12) (Optional) Select a different placeholder from the 'Placeholder character' box.
Placeholder
NOTE: A placeholder character is the character that appears BEFORE data is typed.
13) Type the data.
14) Click 'Next'.
15) Select the radio button for how to store the data.
How to store data
16) Click 'Next'.
17) Click 'Finish'. (The input mask appears in the Input Mask property box of the Field Properties section in the Table Design view.)
