Create a parameter query that prompts for criteria each time it's run

A parameter query displays one or more predefined dialog boxes that prompt you for the parameter value (criteria). You can also create a custom dialog box that prompts for the query's parameters. For more information, click .

1. Create a select or crosstab query.
   
   
2. In query Design view, drag the fields from the field list to the query design grid.
   
   
3. In the Criteria cell for each field you want to use as a parameter, type a prompt enclosed in square brackets. Microsoft Access will display this prompt when the query is run. The text of the prompt must be different from the field name, although it can include the field name.

   

   For a field that displays dates, you can display the prompts "Type the beginning date:" and "Type the ending date:" to specify a range of values. In the field's Criteria cell, type Between [Type the beginning date:] And [Type the ending date:].

4. To view the results, click View on the toolbar, and then type a value for the parameter. To return to query Design view, click View on the toolbar again.

Notes

• You must specify a data type for parameters in a crosstab query or in a parameter query that a crosstab query or chart is based on. In the crosstab query, you must also set the ColumnHeadings property. In other parameter queries, specify a data type for a field with the Yes/No data type and fields that come from a table in an external SQL database. For information on specifying a data type for a parameter, click . For information on setting the ColumnHeadings property, click .
  
  
• To prompt the user for one or more characters to search for, and then find records that begin with or contain the characters the user specifies, create a parameter query that uses the LIKE operator and the wildcard symbol (*). For example, the statement:

  LIKE [Enter the first character to search by: ] & "*"

  searches for words that begin with a specified letter. The statement:

  LIKE "*" & [Enter any character to search by: ] & "*"

  searches for words that contain the specified character.

• You can print parameters in a report. For more information, click .