Question

I have a column with a 7 digit number. When the data was imported there were 3 blank spaces imported behind each number. I have tried several different versions of Trim() in an update/select query with no luck. I am using Access 2007.

Below are the different things I have tried:

Select Query

Expr1: Trim([Number])
Expr1: RTrim([Number])

and Update Query

UPDATE Table SET [Number] = Replace([Number], " ", "");

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access-help/remove-spaces-from-the-beginning-and-end-of-a-text-value-HP001099033.aspx

Answer 1

Although I can’t see why those efforts failed, I’ll suggest you try this UPDATE statement.

UPDATE [Table] SET [Number] = RTrim([Number])

If that does not remove the trailing spaces, what does happen when you try it? Is there an error message? Do you perhaps have SetWarnings turned off, which can suppress error messages?

Also check whether those field values include characters which aren’t visible and could interfere with trimming the spaces. For example, you can check the ASCII value of the last character in each field like this:

SELECT Asc(Right([Number], 1)) AS ascii_value
FROM [Table];

A space character is ASCII 32.

Finally, if those suggestions don’t lead you to a solution, check to confirm the field contains what you expect.

SELECT [Number]
FROM [Table]
WHERE [Number] ALike '%   ';