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Using Microsoft Query with External Database Files 33
The preceding steps are general steps that work with all supported database types. In some
situations, you may prefer to open the database file directly and not create a named data
source that will appear in the Choose Data Source dialog box. For example, if you won’t be using the database
again, you can open the file directly and not have to bother creating a new named data source. If you’re
using an Access file, you can select MS Access Database from the Databases tab in the Choose Data Source
dialog box. Then, you can specify the file, and you’re taken directly to Microsoft Query.
NOTE
Using the Query Wizard
The Choose Data Source dialog box has a check box at the bottom that lets you specify whether to use the
Query Wizard to create your query. The Query Wizard walks you through the steps used to create your
query, and if you use the Query Wizard, you don’t have to deal directly with Query. I highly recommend
using the Query Wizard, and the examples in this chapter use this tool.
In the Choose Data Source dialog box:
1. Select your data source (Budget Database, for this example).
2. Make sure that the Query Wizard check box is checked.
3. Click OK to start the Query Wizard.
Query Wizard: Choosing the columns
In the first step of the Query Wizard, select the database columns that you want to appear in your query.
Select one or more columns and click the > button to add them (see Figure 33.6). To select all fields, click
the table name (budget) and click the > button.
FIGURE 33.6
In the first step of Query Wizard, you select the columns to use in your query.
If you want to see the data for a particular column, select the column and click the Preview Now button. If
you accidentally add a column that you don’t need, select it in the right panel and click the < button to
remove it.
For this example, add all the fields and then click the Next button.
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