How to Access Query Wizard & Make Table Problems

Microsoft Access allows users to make sense out of massive amounts of data. Its Query Wizard simplifies the process by allowing users to select data without a knowledge of structured query language (SQL), the programming language that does much of the background work for Access. The Query Wizard , however, is somewhat limited and far from foolproof; users occasionally have difficulties doing higher-level functions, such as make-table, update or delete queries.

• 1

  Start Access. Open the database you want to query. Click on the "Create" tab near the top of the screen, then select the "Query Wizard" icon near the far right-hand side of the menu. A dialog box will open. Select the "Simple Query" option. Choose the table you want to query.

• 2

  Select the variables from the table that you want included in your make-table query. Click on "Next," then choose whether you want a "Detail" or "Summary" report. Click on "Next," then name the query. Click on "Modify Query Design," then "Finish." This will open the query grid.

• 3

  Choose the "Make Table" icon in the upper left-hand corner of the screen. Assign a name to the new table. Click "OK," then click the "Run" icon, which is shown as a red exclamation point on the menu in the upper left-hand corner of the screen. A dialog box will open and tell you how many rows will be added to the table. Click "OK."

• 4

  Identify any problems that might occur by checking the type of variable involved in the query. A frequent problem in Access involves trying to use a mathematical function on a non-numeric field. Right-click on the table and select "Design View." Make sure the variables queried are in the proper format. You can change the formats from the design view, although you often may lose data.