How do you change a fields TYPE and SIZE values

[Joe Keller]

I have an existing database that when opened needs to be automatically updated to reflect all the new field types and sizes from the new database. I have the routine built into my VB app that searches for any NEW fields and adds them to the old database.. but I am having a hard time getting the program to update the type and size of old fields that may have changed.
For instance.. what used to be just a text field now needs more than 255 characters of text.. so has to be changed to a memo field. How would I do this??
every time I try to change the type.. I get an invalid operation error.
Also note that the database does have data in it.
Thanks
Joe

[makai]

that type of operation is just not allowed with existing fields

the work around is to recreate the whole database as a separate file

then delete the old DB and name the new tmp as old

[Joe Keller]

I could be mistaken, but I do think you can do this now with access2000. Anyone else heard of this?

btw.. thanks for the answer.. you confirmed my fears