How to Run an Update Query in Access

Instead of attempting to modify a database line by line, run an update query to update a file at once.

Microsoft Access is a database management software. Access allows you the capability of creating and maintaining address books, marketing projects and event management. As Access is designed to maintain large databases of information, you will sometimes need to update many records in a database table when certain information changes. Avoid manually inputting data in these cases by running an update query. A Microsoft Access Update Query updates specified values in a table for all records or for those records that match a predetermined criteria.

Instructions

1. Open your Access database. Click "Query Design" under the "Create" tab. A Show Table dialog box will appear.

2. Click "Tables," then select the table or tables that contain the records that you want to update. Choose to add these records, then click close.

3. Double-click the fields that you want to update in the table windows. The selected fields appear in the Field row in the query design grid. Enter the criteria you wish to change in your database.

4. Click "Run" in the top toolbar to run your query. Review the database to ensure all the proper updates have been made.

Tips & Warnings

• Unlike the "Find & Replace" tool, update queries are useful in automating changes to a database.

References

• Database Development: Updating Records in Microsoft Access with an Update Query