How to enable Rich Text for Text Boxes in Access Linked to SQL Server

Text Boxes on Forms and Reports in Microsoft Access allow you to configure the field to display “Rich Text” instead of “Plain Text” by setting the “Text Format” property of the control. This allows you to use HTML formatting in the field and display portions of the field using bold, italics, underline, and other enhancements.

However, when your data is coming from a SQL Server (or other DBMS), through linked tables, you can only choose to configure the control to support “Rich Text” when the field has a size of 256 bytes or greater.

Therefore, you need to go back to your source database (SQL Server), increase the size of the field so that it is 256 or larger, then go back to Access and Relink the table. After that, you should be able to choose Rich Text for the field on the form.

When the linked field length is too short, you will get this message from Microsoft Access “The setting you entered isn’t valid for this property.” when you try to change the control.