The Access Autonumber data type is designed to provide a unique row
identifier. It is not guaranteed to be sequential, and it is generally
unfit for human consumption.

If you need a guaranteed-sequential numbering system, you'll have to create
a procedure that finds the current maximum number and adds one.
Fortunately, this is fairly simple, and you can find examples search on-line
for "custom autonumber".

Good luck!

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP


"Patttt" wrote in message
...
I have an existing table that has a number field as the primary key. I want
it to replicate the autonumber feature by adding the next number in
sequence
when a new record is added, but I can't change it to an autonumber field
and
keep the existing data. Can it be done? Thanks! Pat