Queries
What is a Query?
The real power and advantage of having a database is not only to store information, but also the capability to retrieve and report on the stored data. A query is simply a question you ask the database to help locate specific information. It is the ability to request information from the database by combining data from multiple tables and retrieving data based on specified conditions.
If you simply want to recall the information stored in a single table, Microsoft Access allows you to open the table and scroll through the records contained within it.
Developing Queries
Microsoft Access has created a GUI (Graphical User Interface) called a ‘Query Designer’ that easily allows users to create queries without prior knowledge of SQL.
The Query Designer allows the users to select the Data Sources of the query (which can be tables or queries) and select the fields they want returned by clicking and dragging them into the grid. Joining tables can be created by clicking and dragging fields in specific tables to fields in other tables. Access allows users to view and manipulate the SQL code if desired. Any Access table, including linked tables from different data sources, can be used in a query.