Microsoft Access 2010 Bible

Chapter 4: Selecting Data with Queries

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Figure 4.13 shows the Category field highlighted. As you move the selector field to the left, the

column separator between the fields ProductID and Description changes (gets wider) to

show you where Category will go.

FIGURE 4.13

Moving the Category field to between ProductID and Description. Notice the QBE field icon
below the arrow near the Description column.

Moving cursor

Tip
The field order in a query is irrelevant to how the data appears on a form or report. Normally, you’ll arrange
the controls on a form or report in response to user requirements.

Resizing columns in the QBE grid

The QBE grid generally shows five or six fields in the viewable area of your screen. The remaining

fields are viewed by moving the horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the window.

You might want to shrink some fields to be able to see more columns in the QBE grid. You adjust

the column width to make them smaller (or larger) by moving the mouse pointer to the margin

between two fields, and dragging the column resizer left or right (see Figure 4.14).

Tip
An easier way to resize columns in the QBE grid is to double-click on the line dividing two columns in the grid.
Access auto-sizes the column to fit the data displayed in the column.

The width of a column in the QBE grid has no affect on how the field’s data is displayed in a data-

sheet, form, or report. The column width in the QBE grid is just a convenience to you, the devel-

oper. Also, QBE column width is not preserved when you save and close the query.