Queries - Creating a simple query

To create a query, open the database, in this case the database software2000 was opened.  Select Queries in the Objects panel.   Click on Create query in Design View.  (You could use the wizard but in this case it is easier to use Design View.)

A list of all the tables in the database opens.  In this case only one table is found in the database.  Click on Add.

One table is added to the dynaset.  Queries will be made from this table.

To add fields to the query, double-click on the field.  They are added in the order in which they are clicked.  Records are displayed in the order in which they were entered.  Sorts are applied in the order in which they are found in the design grid.   

When records are displayed they are usually in ascending alphabetical order but it can be changed by clicking, as shown below.

The design grid explained:

• Field: The name of the field in the underlying table.
• Table: The name of the table in which the field is contained.
• Sort: Used to rearrange data in a more logical order.  Options are ascending, descending and not sorted which is used to turn a sort off if it is activated.
• Show: This field will be displayed in the resulting dynaset if checked.  To hide the field, click the box to deselect it.
• Criteria: A specification or condition which must be tested before data can be retrieved.
• Or: Available or additional criteria which tests for multiple values.

There are many types of criteria, see the list taken from Access itself.

This work may be freely copied for non-commercial use only. Copyright © Pam Miller