Final answer:
An input mask is a method to guide data entry by providing a predefined format, such as for phone numbers or social security numbers. It does not alter how data is stored in the database, which is a consistent format.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding input masks, the statement that is NOT true is that input masks do not affect how data is stored. An input mask indeed provides the punctuation so you do not have to type it and defines a consistent template. Furthermore, Access has a wizard that can create automatic masks for various data types.
The primary purpose of an input mask is to guide data entry into a database by providing a predefined format, but it does not change the way data is ultimately stored in the database, which is maintained in a consistent format regardless of the input mask used.