Create an input mask for entering alphanumeric telephone numbers in Access

Access provides a
convenient input mask for entering phone numbers that consist of all numbers.
But what if you enter telephone numbers that consist of numbers and letters? For
example, say you sell software to the local football team,
whose telephone number is (800) GO BIRDS. You cannot enter this if you use the
built-in mask; you will have to create a custom input mask for inputting alphanumeric
telephone numbers. Follow these steps:

1. Open the table in Design View.
2. Click the Telephone Number field.
3. Under Field Properties, click the Triple Dot button
   in the Input Mask property box.
4. In the Input Mask Wizard, click Edit List.
5. Click the New Record button.
6. In Description, enter Alphanumeric Phone Number.
7. In the Input Mask box, enter !(999) AAAAAAA.
8. In the Sample Data box, enter (800) GoBirds.
9. Click Close.
10. Click Finish.

You now have an input mask that you
can use for telephone numbers that consist of both numbers and letters.

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