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. The Microsoft Jet database engine manages the data.), you can create an input mask (input mask: A format that consists of literal display characters (such as parentheses, periods, and hyphens) and mask characters that specify where data is to be entered as well as what kind of data and how many characters are allowed.) in Design view (Design view: A window that shows the design of these database objects: tables, queries, forms, reports, macros, and data access pages. In Design view, you can create new database objects and modify the design of existing ones.) of a table, query, or form.
Create an input mask for a field in table Design view
- Open a table in Design view.
- In the upper portion of the window, click the field you want to define an input mask for.
- In the lower portion of the window, do one of the following:
Click the Build button 
next to the InputMask property box to start the Input Mask Wizard, and then follow the instructions in the wizard dialog boxes.
Type the input mask definition. For more information on defining the input mask, click the InputMask property box and press F1. You must type the input mask definition manually for Number and Currency fields.
Create an input mask for a field in query Design view
- Open a query in Design view.
- In the query design grid (design grid: The grid that you use to design a query or filter in query Design view or in the Advanced Filter/Sort window. For queries, this grid was formerly known as the QBE grid.), place the insertion point in the column for the field you want to change. You can place the insertion point in any row for that field.
- Click Properties
on the toolbar to open the property sheet for that field.
- On the General tab, do one of the following:
Click the Build button next to the InputMask property to start the Input Mask Wizard, and then follow the instructions in the wizard dialog boxes.
Type the input mask definition. For more information on defining the input mask, click the InputMask property box and press F1. You must type the input mask definition manually for Number and Currency fields.
Create an input mask for a control on a form
- Open a form in Design view (Design view: A window that shows the design of these database objects: tables, queries, forms, reports, macros, and data access pages. In Design view, you can create new database objects and modify the design of existing ones.).
- Select a text box or a combo box, and then click Properties on the toolbar to open the control's property sheet.
- In the Input Mask property box, do one of the following:
Type the input mask (input mask: A format that consists of literal display characters (such as parentheses, periods, and hyphens) and mask characters that specify where data is to be entered as well as what kind of data and how many characters are allowed.) definition.
In a Microsoft Access database (.mdb) (Microsoft Access database: A collection of data and objects (such as tables, queries, or forms) that is related to a particular topic or purpose. The Microsoft Jet database engine manages the data.), click the Build button in the Input Mask property box to start the Input Mask Wizard, and then follow the instructions in the wizard dialog boxes.
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