Delete a Table Field in Access- Tutorial

Delete a Table Field in Access: Overview

            You can delete a table field that you do not use from a table in an Access database. Once again, as when changing a field name, make sure that there are not any queries, forms, reports or macros that refer to the field or use data contained within the field before you delete it.

            To delete a table field in Access, first open the table in table design view. Next, click the row selector button at the far left end of the field that you want to delete. Click the “Delete Rows” button in the “Tools” group on the “Design” tab of the “Table Tools” contextual tab.

Delete a Table Field in Access- Tutorial: A picture of a user about to delete a table field in an Access table.

            Access will display a warning prompt, asking you if you really want to delete the field and all of the data within the field. To finish deleting the field and its data, click the “Yes” button. You can click the “No” button to cancel deleting the field, if needed. Then click the “Save” button in the Quick Access toolbar to save your structural modifications.

Delete a Table Field in Access: Instructions

1. To delete a table field in Access, open the table that contains the field to delete in design view.
2. Click the row selector of the row that you wish to delete.
3. Click the “Delete Rows” button in the “Tools” group on the “Design” tab of the “Table Tools” contextual tab in the Ribbon.
4. A pop-up dialog box will appear, asking you if you really want to delete this field. Click “Yes” to delete the field and all of its data.
5. Click the “Save” button in the Quick Access toolbar to save your structural modifications.

Delete a Table Field in Access: Video Lesson

            The following video lesson, titled “Deleting Fields,” shows you how to delete a table field in Access. This video on how to delete a table field in Access is from our complete Access training, titled “Mastering Access Made Easy v.2013-2007.”