ACC: How to Order Data in a Graph

• Microsoft Access versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 7.0, 97

SUMMARY

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

This article describes how to order data in a graph more easily by changing the graph's RowSource property to a query name, rather than using the SQL statement that Microsoft Access generates.

MORE INFORMATION

The following steps demonstrate how to create a graph that will show all the orders after 12/31/94, in descending order, in the Orders table in the sample database Northwind.mdb (or NWIND.MDB in versions 1.x and 2.0):

1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.

2. Create the following new query based on the Orders table, and save the query as GraphQuery:

         Query: GraphQuery
         ------------------------
         Type: Select Query
   

         Field: ShipName
            Table: Orders
            Show: True
         Field: OrderDate
            Table: Orders
            Sort: Descending
            Show: True
            Criteria: > #12/31/94#
   
         NOTE: In Microsoft Access 1.x and 2.0, there is a space in Ship Name
         and Order Date.
   
   

3. Use the ChartWizard to create a new form based on GraphQuery. Select both fields for the graph and click Finish.

4. Switch to Form view. Note that the orders are sorted by the Ship Name field.

5. View the form in Design view. Select the graph. If it is not displayed, click Properties on the View menu to show the property sheet.

6. Change the RowSource property of the object frame as follows:

         Object: Object Frame
         -----------------------------
         ControlName: Embedded0
            RowSourceType: Table/Query
            RowSource: GraphQuery
   
   

7. Switch to Form view. Note that the orders are now sorted in descending OrderDate order.

REFERENCES

For more information about Microsoft Graph properties search the Help Index for "charts," and then "Chart Control Properties" or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant.