How to Filter Out Names With Asterisks Using Access 2007

Microsoft Access 2007 has a filter feature to display specific records.

Microsoft Access 2007 provides very useful tools for collecting and organizing information. The filter tool can be used to display specific records in a table that meet the user's criteria. By applying a filter, the user is able to limit the data in a view without altering the design of the underlying table or modifying the data. You can use this feature to display only the records in a column that do not include an asterisk.

Instructions

1. Open the Access 2007 database and select the table that includes the data to be filtered.

2. Select "Datasheet View" from the View drop-down menu under the Home tab.

3. Review the data in the table to determine which field includes the names to be filtered.

4. Select "Design View" from the View drop-down menu under the Home tab.

5. Check the name field property to ensure that it is set to Text field.

6. Return to the "Datasheet View" using the View menu. Place your cursor over the name field to be filtered.

7. Select the "Filter" button from the Sort and Filter menu under the Home tab.

8. Add a check mark next to "Select All" in the filter window to add the filter criteria to all rows in the name column or select the appropriate rows to meet your criteria.

9. Click on "Text Filters" to open the filter menu. Choose the option for "Does Not Contain."

10. Add "[*]" to the custom filter pop-up window. After adding this filter, the box should read as "FieldName does not contain [*]." The brackets must be included around the asterisk or Access will read it as a wild card character.

11. Click "OK." The table will refresh to display only the rows that do not include an asterisk in the name field. A filter icon will appear to the right of the column name to indicate that the column is filtered.

12. Select "Toggle Filter" from the "Sort and Filter" menu to display all of the data in the table without the filter. You can toggle back and forth between the table view with and without the filter.

Tips & Warnings

• After filtering the data to remove the names that include asterisks, you can also sort the data or add additional field filters to further refine your search. Right-click on the filter icon to modify the criteria or clear the filter.

• These instructions are written for Microsoft Access version 2007. Filtering is available in other versions of Access, but the steps may not be the same

References

• Microsoft.com; Access wildcard character reference
• Microsoft.com; Apply a filter to view select records in an Access database