It is particularly useful in handling structured data, i.e. It is well worth the effort to master using the LIKE operator as it will enable you to generate much more fluid queries in Access.SQL ( / ˌ ɛ s ˌ k juː ˈ ɛ l/ ( listen) S-Q-L, / ˈ s iː k w əl/ 'sequel' Structured Query Language) is a domain-specific language used in programming and designed for managing data held in a relational database management system (RDBMS), or for stream processing in a relational data stream management system (RDSMS). We are looking for a string that begins with the letter “N”, has a single unknown character for the 2nd letter, a “T” for the third letter, any number of unknown characters after that and ends with a “4”. We are looking for a Product Name that contains the string “TB” and has 3 unknown characters at the end.

We are looking for any strings that end with “89”Ĭombining Asterisks and Question Marks Criteria We are looking for a string “NWTP” PLUS any number of unknown characters. We are looking for any string that where the 1st letter is “N”, the 2nd is any character, the 3rd is “T”, the 4th is any character, the 5th is “-” and the 6th is any character. We are looking for any string that is 6 characters in length. Using Multiple Question Marks in the Product Name field We are looking for a string “NWTS-6” PLUS one extra character Using a single Question Mark in the Product Name field Criteria The Question Mark means “show me one of any unknown characters”. The Asterisk means “show me any number of any unknown characters”. There are two important characters that we need to know about: When we filter with LIKE, we are asking the query to return results that match a particular pattern.

How exactly do we do that? Filtering Patterns In the results above, the Product Name doesn’t just start with the string Ch, they contain the string Ch. We are asking the query to return all records where the field Product Name contains the string Ch. In the criteria field of Product Name write Like “*Ch*”: The Products table (unfiltered) looks like this: The LIKE OperatorĬreate a new query, add in the Products table and replicate the field arrangement we have below.

We are going to be filtering data in the Products table.

Microsoft access criteria