Microsoft Access 2010 Bible

Chapter 6: Working with Datasheet View

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Figure 6.17 shows a datasheet with dots instead of solid lines and a higher contrast between alter-

nating rows. You can use the various colors and styles to customize the datasheet’s look to your

liking.

FIGURE 6.17

Different line styles and row colors for the datasheet

Aligning data in columns

Align the data to the left or right, or center it within a column using the alignment buttons. Choose

alignments different from the default alignments Access chooses based on a field’s data type (text

aligns left, numbers/dates align right). Follow these steps to change the alignment of the data in a

column:

1. Position the cursor anywhere within the column that you want to change the alignment.


2. Click on the Align Left, Align Center, or Align Right commands in the ribbon’s Text
   Formatting group (refer to Figure 6.15) to change the alignment of the column’s data.

Hiding and unhiding columns

Hide columns by dragging the column gridline to the preceding field or by setting the column

width to 0:

1. Position the cursor anywhere within the column that you want to hide.


2. Choose More ➪ Hide Columns in the ribbon’s Records group.

The column disappears because the column width is simply set to 0. You can hide multi-
ple columns by first selecting them and then choosing More ➪ Hide Columns.

After you’ve hidden a column, you can redisplay it by choosing More ➪ Unhide Columns in the

ribbon’s Records group. This action displays a dialog box that lets you selectively unhide columns

by checking next to each field. Click Close to return to the datasheet showing the desired columns.

Also use this dialog box to hide one or more columns by unchecking the check box next to each

field you want to hide.