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How to Fix #NAME? Error in Access Bound Text Box

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve a #NAME? error appearing in a bound text box within an automatically created Access form, even though the underlying query results are correct.

How to Fix #NAME? Error in Access Bound Text Box

Product: Microsoft Access
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Viewing or entering data in an automatically generated database form.
Observed behavior: A bound text box on the form displays #NAME? instead of the expected field data from the query.

Before you start

Ensure you have design permissions for the Access database and save a backup copy of your form before making structural changes to its properties.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Form Record Source and Control Source

The most common cause of the #NAME? error is a mismatch between the form's underlying query and the text box's control source property.

When an Access form is created, it binds to a specific Record Source (a table or query). Each text box on the form must have a Control Source that exactly matches a field name within that Record Source.

Open Form Design View

Right-click the problematic form in the navigation pane and select 'Design View'.

Open the Property Sheet

Press F4 on your keyboard, or click 'Property Sheet' in the Design tab of the ribbon.

Check the Record Source

Select 'Form' from the drop-down menu at the top of the Property Sheet. Go to the Data tab and verify that the 'Record Source' points to the correct query.

Verify the Control Source

Click the text box displaying the #NAME? error. In the Property Sheet, check the 'Control Source' property to ensure it exactly matches a valid field name from the query without any typos.

Verify Form Record Source and Control Source

Tip: Using the drop-down arrow next to the Control Source property ensures you select an existing, valid field from the Record Source.

Solution 2

Check for Duplicate or Ambiguous Field Names

If multiple tables in the underlying query have fields with the same name, Access cannot determine which one to bind to the text box.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my text box show #NAME? instead of the expected data?

This error occurs when Microsoft Access cannot evaluate the expression or field specified in the text box's Control Source. It typically means the field name is misspelled, deleted from the underlying query, or ambiguous.

Can a deleted query field cause the #NAME? error on my form?

Yes. If you remove a field from the query that acts as the form's Record Source, any text box still bound to that field will immediately display the #NAME? error because the data source no longer exists.

How do I easily view the SQL statement of my form's query?

Open your query in Design View, then right-click the query tab at the top of the workspace and select 'SQL View'. This allows you to inspect the exact SQL statement and verify all referenced field names.

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