Microsoft KB Archive/164117

= XL97: How to Use Wildcards in Parameter Queries =

Article ID: 164117

Article Last Modified on 12/12/2002

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q164117





SUMMARY
This article includes examples that show you how to use wildcards in parameter queries in Microsoft Query.



MORE INFORMATION
Parameter queries prompt you for values to use when querying for the result set that is returned. This allows you to use one query that selects different records based upon criteria you specify. By using a parameter query, you don't have to change the query design grid each time you run the query. Instead, Microsoft Query prompts you for the search criteria. You can specify multiple parameters for a field.

In the Criteria cell under each field you want to use as a parameter, type a prompt that is enclosed in square brackets. Microsoft Query displays this prompt when you run the query. The text of the prompt must be different from the field name; however, the prompt can include the field name.

The wildcard characters that are available in Microsoft Query and examples for using these characters in a parameter query are listed in the following table.

 Wildcard                             Parameter character   Definition               Query Example -

+           Addition                 [Enter Price]+[Cost of Freight]

-          Subtraction              [Enter Price]-[Cost of Freight]

*           Multiplication           [Enter Price]*[Enter Quantity]

/           Division                 [Enter Price]/[Enter Quantity]

=           Equal to                 =[What city?]

<>          Not equal to             <>[All cities but what?]

>           Greater than             >[Greater than date?]

<           Less than                <[Less than date?]

>=          Greater than or              equal to                 >=[Greater than or equal to date?]

<=          Less than or              equal to                 <=[Less than or equal to date?]

And         Both values found        >[Greater than date?] And in the record set       <[Less than date?]

Or          Either value found in the record set       [What city?] Or [What other city?]

Not         Value not found in the record set       Not [All cities but what?]

Between     Range of values          Between [start date] and between what two values [end date]

Like        Compares values to       Like [Enter letter(s) followed by              find a similar value     the % sign (e.g. abc%)]

In          Equal to several values  In ([first],[second],[third]) in a list

