Applies ToAccess for Microsoft 365 Access 2024 Access 2021 Access 2019 Access 2016

Returns a String in which a specified substring has been replaced with another substring a specified number of times.

Syntax

Replace( expression, find, replace [, start ] [, count ] [, compare ] )

The Replace function syntax has these arguments:

Argument

Description

expression

Required. String expression containing substring to replace.

find

Required. Substring being searched for.

replace

Required. Replacement substring.

start

Optional. Position within expression where substring search is to begin. If omitted, 1 is assumed.

count

Optional. Number of substring substitutions to perform. If omitted, the default value is –1, which means make all possible substitutions.

compare

Optional. Numeric value indicating the kind of comparison to use when evaluating substrings. See Settings section for values.

Settings

The compare argument can have the following values:

Constant

Value

Description

vbUseCompareOption

–1

Performs a comparison using the setting of the Option Compare statement.

vbBinaryCompare

0

Performs a binary comparison.

vbTextCompare

1

Performs a textual comparison.

vbDatabaseCompare

2

Microsoft Office Access 2007 only. Performs a comparison based on information in your database.

Return Values

Replace returns the following values:

If

Replace returns

expression is zero-length

Zero-length string ("")

expression is Null

An error.

find is zero-length

Copy of expression.

replace is zero-length

Copy of expression with all occurences of find removed.

start > Len(expression)

Zero-length string. String replacement begins at the position indicated by start.

count is 0

Copy of expression.

Remarks

The return value of the Replace function is a string, with substitutions made, that begins at the position specified by start and concludes at the end of the expression string. It is not a copy of the original string from start to finish.

Example

Expression

Results

SELECT ProductID, Replace(ProductID,"PRO","Product") AS ReplacedID FROM ProductSales;

Returns the "ProductID", finds "PRO" in "ProductID" and replaces with "Product" and displays the result in column ReplacedID.

String functions and how to use them

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