Specifying Search Criteria

You can use search criteria to restrict the number of rows returned by a query.

For details about the particular steps to creating search criteria, refer to the topics listed in the following table.

In This Section

• Rules for Entering Search Values
  Explains how to enter text, numbers, dates, or logical values.

• Conventions for Combining Search Conditions in the Criteria Pane
  Explains the concepts behind using the AND and OR operators.

• How to: Specify Search Conditions
  Explains the basics of choosing search criteria to get just the data you want.

• How to: Specify Multiple Search Conditions for One Column
  Explains how to create multiple search conditions to the same data column.

• How to: Specify Multiple Search Conditions for Multiple Columns
  Explains how to include several data columns as part of the search condition for a query.

• How to: Specify the TOP Clause in Queries
  Explains how to have only a given number or percentage of rows returned.

• How to: Use HAVING and WHERE Clauses in the Same Query
  Explains how and why to use both of these clauses in a query.

• How to: Select Rows that Do Not Match a Value
  Explains how to return all rows where the value of a give column does not match the value you provide in the query statement.

• How to: Include or Exclude Rows
  Explains the concepts behind clauses and operators used in queries.

• How to: Exclude Duplicate Rows
  Explains how to filter duplicate rows out of Select queries.

• How to: Combine Conditions when AND Has Precedence
  Explains why and how to use the AND operator to filter query results.

• How to: Combine Conditions when OR Has Precedence
  Explains why and how to use the OR operator to filter query results.

• How to: Create Subqueries
  Explains how to create subqueries, or nested queries.

Reference

• Reference (Visual Database Tools)
  Provides links to general reference topics covering queries, operators, search conditions, specific DBMS requirements, user interface reference topics, and error message topics.

Related Sections

• Performing Basic Operations with Queries
  Provides links to topics with steps for the most common querying tasks.

• Types of Queries
  Provides links to topics explaining the supported query types.

• Sorting and Grouping Query Results
  Provides links to topics with steps for sorting and grouping the results of a query.

• Summarizing Query Results
  Provides links to topics with steps for summarizing results, including NULL and Nonnumeric columns.

• Designing Queries and Views
  Provides links to topics and sections covering work you can do in queries and views using the Query and View Designer.