How to Create a Microsoft Access Query That Uses Multiple Criteria in One Field

Creating a query that uses multiple criteria for a field is like running a filter on your query results. For example, if you have a table that contains complete addresses of all your friends, you can run a query that will display brief information for those who live in New York, or for those who live in New York and whose surname starts with the letter "B".

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microsoft Access

1. Create a query in the usual way. Using the example given above, you would include the fields "Surname" and "City". (See "How to Create a Simple Query in Microsoft Access.")

2. From the database window, in Query view, select the query, then click on Design.

3. The query opens in Design view. In the Surname field, click in the Criteria text box.

4. To search for friends whose name begins with "B," enter Like "B*" in the Criteria text box. Press Enter.

5. In the Criteria text box for the City field, enter "New York." Press Enter.

6. Switch to Datasheet view. You will see a list of all friends living in New York whose name begins with the letter "B".

Tips & Warnings

• Use the * to denote wild cards. In the example above, searching for B* produced a list of all friends whose name begins with B.
• Experiment with your queries to see what happens when you select certain criteria.
• Setting different criteria can be complex. Expect a learning curve before you can perform more sophisticated operations.