Adding field without changing modification date

[fed]

Is there a way to add a field to a table, and have the value of that field be a default value, without changing modification date of the records?

[dansmith65]

After creating the new field, you could modify your ModificationDate field to NOT enter the modified date, save the changes, go do a "replace field contents" script step on your new field to initialize it, then go back and enable the AutoEnter modification date for your ModificationDate field.

[fed]

That's what I came up with as well. I guess there are no other ways to do it.

Thanks,

Fed

[bcooney]

I don't understand. Adding a field to a table does not affect the modification date and time of existing records, afaik. Certainly, if you update the data in a field in the existing records, you change their modification date/time (but that's reality, isn't it?)

Just want to clarify terms here, because beginners read these posts as well.

[fed]

You are absolutely right, but the question is if you can add a field, and have the default value entered into existing records without the modification date being altered.

[bcooney]

Actually, your original post didn't say that you intended to update existing records.

[fed]

Sorry, you are again right. I did not mention it.

Do you have any ideas that I could use?

[comment]

the question is if you can add a field, and have the default value entered into existing records without the modification date being altered.

These are two separate issues that have very little in common. Adding a field to a table does not modify any record. Populating the field - or ANY other existing field - with a value is of course a modification of all affected records.

One way to prevent this has already been outlined. I don't know why you're not happy with it; after all, you need to go into Manage Database anyway - so why not disable the auto-enter at the same time, populate the field, then restore the auto-enter.

Another way is to add a calculation field = "Your default value", exit Manage Database, then go back and change the field's type to Text or Number or whatever is appropriate. This too requires going into Manage Database twice - but you save the Replace Field Contents step.