Microsoft Access 2010 Bible

Chapter 4: Selecting Data with Queries

141

FIGURE 4.11

The datasheet view of the query

Cross-Reference
Working with records in Datasheet view is covered in detail in Chapter 6.

Filtering, sorting, rearranging, and searching within a datasheet is quite easy. My simple select

query didn’t transform the data in any way, so the data shown in Figure 4.11 is completely edit-

able. I can modify existing data, delete rows, and even add new records to this data set, if I want.

When you’re working with data in the datasheet, all the table and field properties defined at the

table level are in effect. Therefore, validation rules, default values, and other properties assert

themselves even though the datasheet is the result of a query.

Note
Earlier versions of Access referred to an updatable datasheet as a Dynaset. This term emphasized the fact that
the datasheet was dynamically linked to its underlying data sources. However, the term has fallen by the way-
side because, very often, the data in a query’s datasheet is not updatable. You’ll see data transformations later
in this chapter and in many other chapters in this book.

At any time, clicking the Design View button on the ribbon returns you to Query Design view.

Working with Fields

Sometimes you’ll want to work with the fields you’ve already selected — rearranging their order,

inserting a new field, or deleting an existing field. You may even want to add a field to the QBE

grid without showing it in the datasheet. Adding a field without showing it enables you to sort on

the hidden field, or to use the hidden field as criteria.