Insert a new column for the numbers, then run a query to transfer the text
column to the numbers column, then delete the text column.
Query:
UPDATE MyTable SET MyNumber = CInt(MyText)

Back up your database FIRST!!!

-Dorian

Numbers NEVER have leading zeroes.  So, you can add an additional field to
hold the numeric value - probably a bad idea.  Why is this a bad idea, now
you have two fields to maintain the same data.

Better - use the Val function to return the numeric value.  You can do that
in a query of your table and then use that to query and link it to the other
table.

Field: JustNumber: Val([AccountNumber])

Alternative solution is to use a Non-equi Join to do this.  This type of
join needs to be done in SQL view and cannot be built or shown in the query
grid.  Generically, that would look something like the following

SELECT  [TableWithText].[AccountNumber]
, [TableWithNumbers].[SomeOtherField]
FROM [TableWithText] INNER JOIN [TableWithNumbers]
ON Val([TableWithText].[AccountNumber]) =
[TableWithNumbers].[AccountNumber]