2. Input Masks

As you've already learned, databases prize consistency. If you have a field named Height, you better be sure every value in that field uses the same type of measurements; otherwise, your data's not worth its weight in sock lint. Similarly, if you have a PhoneNumber field, you better make sure every phone number has the same format. If some phone numbers are written with dashes, spaces, and parentheses (like (844) 547-1123), while others are a bit different (say 847-547-1123), and a few leave out the area code information altogether (547-1123), then you've got a small problem on your hands. Because of the lack of consistency, you'll have a hard time working with this information (say, searching for a specific phone number or sorting the phone numbers into different categories based on area code).

To help you manage values that have a fixed pattern—like phone numbers—you can use an input mask. Essentially, an input mask (or just mask for short) gives you a way to tell Access what pattern your data should use. Based on this pattern, Access changes the way values are entered and edited to make them easier to understand and less error-prone. Figure 29-8 shows how a mask lets Access format a series of characters as they're being typed into a field.