How to Change Query Types in Access

Microsoft Access allows you to create multiple query types. The two main types of queries are select and action. Select queries select specific information. Action queries modify the data or tables in some way. Changing query types is easy for Access beginners. Most Access queries resemble each other in their basic formats.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Open an existing Microsoft Access database. Either double-click the project or open Microsoft Access and go to "File" and select "Open." Browse to your desired database project.

2. Press "Queries" on the database window. All existing queries are listed in this section.

3. Open an existing query in Design View by highlighting the query and pressing "Design" in the database window. Create a new query by pressing "Create a new query in Design View."

4. Locate the "Query Type" button on the query toolbar. You must be in Design View in order to see this toolbar.

5. Press the "Query Type" button and choose your query type. Types include Select, Update, Append, Delete, Make-Table and Crosstab. Select is the default query type.

Tips & Warnings

• Create queries using the wizard mode first, if you're more comfortable with this method. You can open the query in Design View after it's created to change the type.
• Test action queries, especially Delete queries, on a test database. Make a backup copy of your database for testing.