Know the filters and queries correctly will help you get the most out of Microsoft Access. These tools can be used to extract specific values between the cells of your database.
For example, you can use them to manage an SME. In this case, you will be able to know the age and the average attendance of the workers quickly.
If you want to know what the queries and filters are about, you will have to continue reading. With this post you will understand that the use of one or another tool will depend on the situation. But to this, we will explain it to you below.
What are the main differences between a query and a filter in Access?
When you use Access For a specific project, you will probably need to refine the data to obtain information and analyze it to later be able to conclude on the topics you are dealing with. For this, you can use filters or queries to get the details accurately and without wasting time. Now, many people tend to think that these two tools are the same. However, while it is true that there are similarities between the two, they were not created to serve the same purpose.
For example, the function Filter, as usual, works on a single table open in sight Data sheet. While, with the function Queries you can not only search for information in one, but in several related tables. In other words, the queries work like a filtering system for range data, but in a more comprehensive way.
Also, Filters are limited in particular to displaying certain records and forms in different ways, among other elements. There is no direct connection between filters and subsequent insertion, deletion or modification of values. In contrast, there are inquiries than were designed to perform actions or create tables from the results obtained.
Taking this into account, compare the kinds of filters you can select (common, by selection, advanced and by form) and the types of queries (selection, parameter, table creation, attached data, update and elimination, among others) there are important differences. This means that, in the second search system, there are many more possibilities to choose parameters.
With the consultations you also have options to perform calculations with the information obtained. You can even automate some tasks so you can save time. For example, you will be able to automatically review the most recent and most important records that have been generated. Once you get the query results (remembering that it can be from one or more tables) it is possible to use such information to add it to a form. Filters are more limiting in this regard.
In fact, with the queries you can choose the filter criteria through a simple question, while with the filters you will not have this option. On the other hand, with a filter the selection criteria are more basic and they are limited to values, words, dates and others. While a query can be more complex for those who are just starting to operate Access. An example of this is that the program offers a consultation assistant to guide you, which is not the case with filters.
This means that with filters you can learn to take your first steps of selecting data in Access. If your search is simple and limited to a single table, it may be the best option. From that option you can choose which values you want to see in a column or record and which ones you don’t. You can even control filtering for periods of time.
In this sense, default options are presented that, generally, in the queries you must specify with your criteria. In fact, you must know how to handle the queries for update and delete if you don’t want to make mistakes. With the filtration there are no risks of alteration in the database. By last, you can close the table and if you don’t save the generated filter as a query the selected information will be lost.