Access changing data type on import of file

Richard Yamamoto 5

I have Access through Office 365. This month, the available data types for importing a file have changed. For example, "Double" no longer is available. I cannot find a summary of what data types were removed and what to use in their place. My bigger issue is that Access is changing the data type "Short Text" to "Long Text" upon importing a file ("Long Text" isn't even an option in the import dialogue). I'm unable to change the data type back to "Short Text" in Design View. When I try, I get a message that there isn't enough disk space or memory.

George Hepworth 22,855 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-04-20T14:46:07.5866667+00:00

The data types in Access have not changed. What you are experiencing with imports probably reflects something about those import files. Also, there is possibly a clue in the insufficient disk space or memory error message.

Therefore we need additional information:

What update channel are you on? Build of Access 365 do you have? Is it 32 bit or 64 bit?

What is the file type of the file you are importing, txt, csv or something else?
How many records are in a file? How many fields are in the records?

Finally, show us, if you can do so without violating privacy or confidentiality, some samples of the data being imported. At least 20 records would be useful for this.
Thank you for helping us help you.

Answer recommended by moderator

George Hepworth 22,855 Volunteer Moderator

I reported this bug in Build 2604 to the Access team at Microsoft on the 20th. They are looking into it.

In the meantime, rolling back to Build 2603, as has been stated above, will restore the appropriate behavior.

Adding to the complexity, other issues have been identified -- and resolved -- in this Build, so it's unclear where this one stands.

Please note, however, that the data types themselves did not change.

It is a change in the way the data import process recognizes them in the source file. Temporarily rolling back to the prior build will restore the appropriate behavior.

AccessForever.org has articles with advice on Update Bugs.

https://www.accessforever.org/post/how-to-deal-with-update-bugs

https://www.accessforever.org/post/demystifying-microsoft-365-update-channels

Karl Donaubauer 3,191 Reputation points

2026-04-24T21:09:23.3266667+00:00

Hi,

George has been successful with his bug report to Microsoft: They plan to publish a fix for this problem in next week's Office update.

Servus
Karl

Access Forever News DevCon
Access-Entwickler-Konferenz AEK
Stephen Newchok 0 Reputation points

2026-04-28T13:27:12.5533333+00:00

To get past the memory issue on converting the field types: 1. Copy the "bad" table - structure only to a new table. 2 Change the "good" table fields to short text. 3. Append the data from bad to good.
Mateusz Oracz (kursmaturainformatyka) 10 Reputation points

2026-04-28T16:18:53.5433333+00:00

Thanks for the update and for reporting this to the Access team.

Unfortunately, version 2604 introduces a serious issue affecting text file imports in Microsoft Access - specifically in how data types are recognized during the import process.

In 16 days, students in Poland will take their final high school exams (Matura), which determine admission to computer science studies. One of the tasks (worth ~20% of the total score) is based on Microsoft Access and requires importing text files as the very first step.

Since this version updates automatically for students, it’s very likely that some of them will be negatively affected during the exam and may end up with significantly worse results because of this bug.

We’re aware that rolling back to Build 2603 restores correct behavior, but in practice many students won’t have the knowledge or permissions to do that before the exam.

We’ve described the issue and possible workarounds here: https://kursmaturainformatyka.pl/blog/microsoft-access-2604-krytyczny-problem-import-matura-informatyka

(The article is in Polish, but can be translated in the browser.)

We’re closely following the situation and hoping for a fix in an upcoming update as soon as possible, given the time-sensitive impact.

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Richard Yamamoto 5 Reputation points

2026-04-20T18:32:49.5666667+00:00

I reverted my Office 365 back to 2603 (build 19822.20168) and the import-to-Access process is the same as it's been in prior months. The problem was caused by 2604.
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George Hepworth 22,855 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-04-20T18:37:47.1733333+00:00

Good. Thanks. I just submitted a report to a group of Access MVPS. Hopefully, someone will be able to replicate the problem on this build and we can get a report submitted to MS.

Pedro 0 Reputation points

2026-04-20T21:42:56.4466667+00:00

I have the same issue on 2604 and have been having the issues since this update. I will revert back as well.

Richard Bell 0 Reputation points

2026-04-22T18:32:43.46+00:00

exact same issue here. File format that I have been importing into Access for years has changed to Long Text even if Short Text shows on the import wizard. going to try the roll back to previous version.
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Karl Donaubauer 3,191 Reputation points

2026-04-30T09:11:35.3833333+00:00

Hi,

Thanks to George's report, the bug has been fixed in the new build 19929.20106, which you should receive automatically during the day, if you have updates activated. You can also request it immediately by going to File - Update Options - Update Now.

Servus
Karl

Access Forever News DevCon
Access-Entwickler-Konferenz AEK
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Thomas Nielsen 10 Reputation points

2026-04-23T12:01:06.6433333+00:00

Something has definitely changed in Datatypes, when you import the data.... Most often Date is suggested and even when you change it under import to Short text - it's imported as Long text.....
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Mike Sinn 20 Reputation points

2026-04-24T17:21:31.6833333+00:00

Having the same issues as stated above. Datatypes are defaulting to Date/Time for text fields and select short text actually creates table with long text. Definately a bug!!

George Hepworth 22,855 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-04-24T22:09:16.9966667+00:00

Yes, you are right. We have successfully reported the bug to the Access team at Microsoft. The problem is identified and it will be fixed in next week's update.

In the meantime, you can rollback to Version 2603 temporarily.

I understand how easy it is to miss relevant answers in the interleaving comments this forum displays. See my comment on the 20th and Karl's response, though, if you can track them down.
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DBG 11,711 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-04-20T15:03:30.2666667+00:00

Can you post a screenshot of where it shows the missing data types?
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Colin Riddington 146 Reputation points MVP

2026-04-26T10:18:30.3466667+00:00

The Access team have fixed the problem. The fix should be rolled to the Current Channel during W/C 27 April
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Access changing data type on import of file

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