Query Tips

The query is where users and developers meet, it is the most vital part of the database.

Once the data have been queried, they can be organized and analyzed by the user on forms and reports to achieve the ultimate goal of a database: to inform.



Notes

If your query or your table feeds a form, there is no need to filter and sort whithin the query. You can manage these aspects in the "Filter/Sort" query of the form that you can access opening the form and going to the menu bar "Record/Filter/Advanced Filter/Sort". So, a query or a table can feed many forms.

There is no "If" in Access, there is "Iif". So, in the criteria zone or in expressions, use "Iif" instead of "If". This rule doesn't apply in VBA coding except when you are setting an object formula through coding.

For each report or form that you develop, always create a query. You never know when you will need a field from another table in your report or your from.

When your Information Management System includes reports in Excel, create a query in Access and use Microsoft Query only to get the results of the query created in Access. Access is superior to Microsoft Query to create queries.

Right click in the criteria or the field box and select "Zoom" when you are working with long criteria or formulas in calculated fields.

To replace a word in a long formula, double-click on it and enter the new value. It is much simpler than clicking at the beginning of the word and dragging the pointer over the word.