Excel 2010 Bible

Chapter 33: Getting Data from External Database Files

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FIGURE 33.13

Display the Criteria pane as shown here so that you’ll be able to create your query.

Tables pane

Criteria pane Data pane

The Query window has three panes, which are split horizontally:

l (^) Tables pane: The top pane, which holds the selected data tables for the database. Each
data table window has a list of the fields in the table.
l (^) Criteria pane: The middle pane, which holds the criteria that determine the rows that the
query returns.
l (^) Data pane: The bottom pane, which holds the data that passes the criteria.
Creating a query consists of the following steps:

1. Drag fields from the Tables pane to the Data pane. You can drag as many fields as you
   want. These fields are the columns that the query will return. You can also double-click a
   field instead of dragging it.


2. Enter criteria in the Criteria pane. When you activate this pane, the first row (labeled
   Criteria Field) displays a drop-down list that contains all the field names. Select a field
   and enter the criteria below it. Query updates the Data pane automatically, treating each
   row like an OR operator.


3. Choose File ➪ Return Data to Microsoft Excel to execute the query and place the
   data in a worksheet or pivot table.