I want to make sure user enters only 255 characters the max allowed in Access. I use the .SelLength property of the text box. However, it always retun zero no matter how long the comment is. How can I find the real length? Please review the following code and let me know what is the correct code:

Private Sub TxtDeptComments_AfterUpdate()
Dim intLength As Integer
intLength = Me!TxtDeptComments.SelLength
If intLength > 255 Then
MsgBox ("Dept Comments cannot be longer than 255 characters. Please change your comments content.")
Exit Function
End If

End Sub

The Exit Function should be Exit Sub. However, it still does not work!

I have changed "intLength = Me!TxtDeptComments.SelLength" to "iintLength = len(Me!TxtDeptComments)" and it worked.

try

If the TextBox is bound to a Text Field set to 255 characters, I don't think the user can enter more than 255 characters , anyway.

Have you tested the TextBox and see whether it accepts more than 255 characters (without your code)? You can test with a Field of shorter length if desired.