Troubleshoot problems when pasting data

In most cases, if Microsoft Access can't paste some or all of the data in a Microsoft Access database (Microsoft Access database: A collection of data and objects (such as tables, queries, or forms) that is related to a particular topic or purpose.), it creates the Paste Errors table. In that case, Microsoft Access displays a message telling you that data will be added to the Paste Errors table.

There are several reasons why Microsoft Access will not paste some or all of your data:

• You tried to paste an entire field or fields without selecting a destination. You must select the field or fields that you want to paste to.
• You tried to paste more fields than the datasheet you're pasting to has, or more than the number of fields you selected as a destination. Microsoft Access doesn't paste the extra fields.
• You tried to paste a value that's not compatible with the data type (data type: The characteristic of a field that determines what type of data it can hold. Data types include Boolean, Integer, Long, Currency, Single, Double, Date, String, and Variant (default).) of the field. For example, you tried to paste letters into a field in a Microsoft Access database with the Number data type or in a Microsoft Access project (Microsoft Access project: An Access file that connects to a Microsoft SQL Server database and is used to create client/server applications. A project file doesn't contain any data or data-definition-based objects, such as tables and views.) with the smallint data type.
• You tried to paste text that's too long for the field. The setting in the FieldSize property of an Access database or the Length column property in an Access project determines the maximum size of a field value. Check the field in table Design view (Design view: A view that shows the design of these database objects: tables, queries, forms, reports, and macros. In Design view, you can create new database objects and modify the design of existing objects.) in an Access database or Column Properties view in a database diagram (database diagram: A graphical representation of any portion of a database schema. It can be either a whole or partial picture of the structure of the database. It includes tables, the columns they contain, and the relationships between the tables.) in an Access project to see the setting.
• You tried to paste a duplicate value into the table's primary key (primary key: One or more fields (columns) whose values uniquely identify each record in a table. A primary key cannot allow Null values and must always have a unique index. A primary key is used to relate a table to foreign keys in other tables.), into a field that has the Indexed property set to No Duplicates in an Access database, or into a field with either a unique constraint or unique index in an Access project. Check the field in table Design view in an Access database or Column Properties view in a database diagram in an Access project to see the setting.
• You tried to paste data into a hidden field. This is not permitted. To display hidden columns, click Unhide Columns on the Format menu.
• In an Access database, you tried to remove data from or paste data into a disabled (disabled control: A control that appears dimmed on a form or data access page. A disabled control cannot get the focus and will not respond to mouse clicks.), locked (locked: The condition of a record, recordset, or database that makes it read-only to all users except the user currently modifying it.), calculated (calculated field: A field, defined in a query, that displays the result of an expression rather than displaying stored data. The value is recalculated each time a value in the expression changes.), or AutoNumber field (AutoNumber data type: In a Microsoft Access database, a field data type that automatically stores a unique number for each record as it's added to a table. Three kinds of numbers can be generated: sequential, random, and Replication ID.).
• You don't have permissions (permissions: A set of attributes that specifies what kind of access a user has to data or objects in a database.) to add or edit data in the database object.
• A value you tried to paste isn't allowed in the field based on the settings of the ValidationRule, InputMask, Required (Access database only), or AllowZeroLength (Access database only) properties.
• The validation macro specified for the BeforeUpdate or OnInsert properties canceled the update. The data you tried to paste did not meet the validation requirements.

• When you paste records into a datasheet, Microsoft Access places them in the order they appear in the columns of the datasheet, regardless of the names of the fields. If you want the data to be pasted according to corresponding field names, paste them into a form in Form view (Form view: A view that displays a form to show or accept data. Form view is the primary means of adding and modifying data in tables. You can also change the design of a form in this view.).
• When you paste records into a form, Microsoft Access places them into fields with the same name as the source fields, regardless of their order on the form. However, if there are no matching field names, the data is placed according to the form's tab order, which may not be the order you intend.