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Fix Microsoft Access Run-Time Error 13 Type Mismatch

Bushra Parveen Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve Run-time error 13 (Type mismatch) in Microsoft Access and fix form ownership permission issues preventing design modifications.

How to Fix Microsoft Access Run-Time Error 13 and Form Ownership Issues

Product: Microsoft Access
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Modifying or interacting with a form control using a DateStamp value.
Observed behavior: A Run-time error 13 Type mismatch dialog appears, and the user cannot modify form ownership or design settings due to insufficient permissions.

Before you start

Ensure you have a backup copy of your Access database before modifying form designs or attempting to change object ownership permissions.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Data Type and Properties in Design View

Check that the data type of the DateStamp control matches the expected input to prevent type mismatch errors.

Run-time error 13 often triggers when a DateStamp control attempts to process a value that contradicts its designated data type, such as attempting to parse text in a Date/Time field.

Open Design View

Right-click the affected form in the Access navigation pane and select Design View.

Inspect the DateStamp Control

Click on the DateStamp control and open the Property Sheet (press F4 if it is not visible).

Verify Control Source

Ensure that the Control Source and Format properties align with a Date/Time data type and contain no conflicting default values.

Restart Microsoft Access

Save the form changes, completely close Microsoft Access, and reopen the database to test the form again.

Restarting is Required: Access sometimes caches previous form configurations. A complete restart ensures your data type modifications take effect.

Solution 2

Resolve Object Ownership and Design Permissions

Acquire the correct database object permissions to modify forms that are locked by previous owners.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Type mismatch mean in Microsoft Access?

It occurs when you attempt to assign a value to a variable or form control that expects an entirely different data type, such as entering standard text into a field formatted strictly for Date/Time.

Can file-level permissions fix Access form ownership issues?

No, having file-level access to the .accdb or .mdb file in Windows does not guarantee you have internal ownership or design permissions for the objects (like forms and reports) inside the database.

Why does restarting Access sometimes fix lingering errors?

Restarting the application clears temporary memory and caches, which can resolve persistent glitches and ensure that any changes made to control properties in Design View are properly applied.

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