Queries: Asking Questions

What a Select Query Does

A select query picks specific fields and records from one or more tables and shows the answer in a grid. Queries are reusable - create once, run anytime.

Query Design

Create → Query Design → add tables, then drag fields in the grid below:

Field:    LastName | City   | Balance
Table:    Customers|Customers|Customers
Sort:     Ascending
Criteria:          | "Mumbai" | > 500

Run with the exclamation button (or Datasheet view). Access generates the SQL behind the scenes.

Criteria Tips

> 1000          numbers above thousand
Between #1/1/2026# And Date()   date range
"Delhi" Or "Pune"   match either
Like "A*"          starts with A
Is Null / Is Not Null     empties

Calculated Fields

Type an expression in an empty Field: cell with a colon:

Total: [Qty] * [Price]
FullName: [FirstName] & " " & [LastName]

[] refers to a field name; & joins text.

Key Points

• Queries are saved questions - build them once, rerun on fresh data.
• Criteria filter rows; calculated fields add new columns.
• The query grid is a visual SQL - advanced users can jump to SQL View.