Loss Of Primary Key When Importing Csv File

Loss of Primary Key when importing csv file

Hi All,

We are submitting an Access db table with ID as primary key to an outside company for processing. We export it as csv file and that's how it comes back.

After importing it back, we noticed that our IDs, which previously had 'gaps' as a result of deleted records, had been changed in to a new continuous sequence (Autonumbered). This, of course, completely destroys our database since related tables depend on IDs being unchangeable.

We ***suspect*** that the IDs are being destroyed during the process of re-importing the csv file. We are using the Access import wizzard.

Access msg: "Access recommends that you define a Primary Key for your new table". We then are given the following options:

1Let Access ADD primary key
2Choose my own primary key
3No primary key

During Option 1, the ID column is displayed and high-lighted. But we do NOT want that option since it offers to ADD a primary key, whereas we already have one (ID). At most, we want to 'declare' or 'define' a primary key, but we do not want Access to ADD one.

So we try Option 2, hoping that this will give us the chance to CHOOSE ID as our primary key. But the moment we select that option, the ID column disappears. We are not given the chance to select ID as our primary key.

So we try Option 3, hoping to re-instate ID as primary key as soon as we have an Access table again. But the moment we select this option, the ID column disappears.

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If we GO THROUGH with Option 1, we notice that Access has renumbered our ID, the IDs of all our 'deleted' records have been re-assigned. Or so it appears.

If we GO THROUGH with Option 3, the resulting table does not contain an ID column at all.


Of course, the damage may have been done by the outside company which processed our file, but if so, we have to prove it, and we have to take measures to avoid it.

Any comments and advice?

Thanks.

Adrian