Access Chapter 2

Comparison operators

Symbols used to evaluate each field to determine if it is the same (=), greater than (>), less than (<), or in between a range of values as specified by the criteria.

Message Bar

The area below the Ribbon that displays information such as security alerts.

Foreign key

The field that is included in the related table so the field can be joined with the primary key in another table for the purpose of creating a relationship.

AND

The logical operator that requires all conditions to be met.

Design Grid

The lower area of the Query window that displays the design of the query.

Run

The process in which Access looks for records in a table based on the fields and criteria in the query design, finds those records and then displays the records in a data sheet.

Sorting

The process of arranging data in a specific order based on the value in a field.

Data source

The table or tables from which a form, query, or report retrieves its data.

Table area

The upper area of the Query window that displays field lists for the tables that are used in the query.

Between ... And Operator

A comparison operator that looks for values within a range.

Is Null

A criteria that searches for fields that are empty is:

Is Not Null

A criteria that searches for fields that are not empty.

Select Query

A database object that retrieves (selects) specific data from one or more tables and then displays the results in Data sheet view.

Blank database

A database that has no data and has no database tools—you must create the data and the tools as you need them.

Calculated Field

A field that stores the value of a mathematical operation.

Sub data sheet

A format for displaying related records in a data sheet when you click the plus sign (+) next to a record in a table on the one side of a relationship.

Expression

A formula.

[Enter a City]

A good parameter for a City field.

Property Sheet

A list of characteristics—properties—for fields or controls on a form or report in which you can make precise changes to each property associated with the field or control.

Field list

A list of field names in a table.

Sub set

A portion of the total records available.

Parameter Query

A query that prompts you for criteria when it is run.

Cross tab Query

A query that uses an aggregate function for data that can be grouped by two types of information and displays the data in a compact, spreadsheet-like format.

One-to-many relationship

A relationship between two tables where one record in the first table corresponds to many records in the second table.

Text string

A sequence of characters.

Referential integrity

A set of rules that ensures that the data between related tables is valid.

Ascending Order

A sorting order that arranges text in alphabetical order (A to Z) or numbers from lowest to highest.

Descending Order

A sorting order that arranges text in reverse alphabetical order (Z to A) or numbers from highest to lowest.

*

A wildcard character that serves as a placeholder for one or more unknown characters.

Trust Center

An area where you can view the security and privacy settings for your Access installation.

Relationship

An association that you establish between two tables based on common fields.

Criteria

Conditions in a query that identify the specific records for which you are looking.

Parameter

Criteria that can be changed when a query is run.

A Colon

For a calculated field, the new field name must be followed by.

Wildcard character

In a query, a character that serves as a placeholder for one or more unknown characters in your criteria; an asterisk (*) represents one or more unknown characters, and a question mark (?) represents a single unknown character.

Join line

In the Relationships window, the line joining two tables that visually indicates the common fields and the type of relationship.

Aggregate Functions

Min, Max, Avg, and Sum.

Compound criteria

Multiple conditions in a query or filter.

Logical operators

Operators that combine criteria using AND and OR. With two criteria, AND requires that both conditions be met and OR requires that either condition be met.

Cascade Options

Relationship options that enable you to update records in related tables when referential integrity is enforced.

Outermost Sort Field

When sorting on multiple fields in Data sheet view, the field that is used for the first level of sorting.

Innermost sort field

When sorting on multiple fields in Datasheet view, the field that is used for the second level of sorting.