How to Write SQL Statements in Microsoft Access

You don’t have to use the Select Query window in Microsoft Access to extract information from your database. Using Structured Query Language (SQL) is often quicker and easier. Here are the basics.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Open your database.
2. In the Database window, click the Queries button under Objects.
3. Double-click Create query in Design view. Or click New in the Database window toolbar, click Design View (if it’s not already selected) and click OK.
4. Close the Show Table box without adding any tables.
5. Click the SQL view button on the toolbar.
6. Type “SELECT *” and press Enter. This statement will select all the columns from a table.
7. Type “FROM” and the name of the table containing the data you want to see. For example: FROM Customers.
8. Run your query: Click the Run icon (the exclamation point) in the toolbar or click Run from the Query menu.

Tips & Warnings

• Access places a SELECT statement followed by a semicolon in the SQL view window before you type any SQL code.
• Adding a semicolon at the end of your SQL code is optional in Access.