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Using an Update Query to format a field Using the Mid, Left and Right Functions

Question

I have a table with a field where data is shown as a text with the following format:

123456789. My table as over 50,000 records.

I would like to run an update query to change the format to: 123-45-6789.

 

Answer

You will need to use the left, right and mid functions to achieve this.

In the Update to row, enter the following code:

Left([SSN],3) & "-" & Mid([SSN],4,2) & "-" & Right([SSN],4)

NOTE:  Make a copy of the table before you try this, just in case it is not what you want.

Run the query once you have made a copy of the table.

Only run it once as it will give a completely different result the second time around as the data will have changed.

 

 

 

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