In the previous topic we created query displays specific information from our tables. Now we want this query to sort this information by due date. Again we switch to design view, we use the sort line in the query grid to set the sort order. We click on it in the column we want to sort by then click open the list which displays three sorting choices. Ascending order, descending order and not sorted, we want the earliest dates first so we click on ascending order. Now we switch back to the record set, the records are now sorted by due date in ascending order. You know sometimes we want a query to display information from just certain records, records that well they meet criteria that we set. For example, you want to see a records set of all invoices for $2,000.00 or more. We switch back to design view, we click in the criteria row for the invoice total field and type greater than or equal to 2000. We click on the view button to display the record set. The query has selected only those invoices that are for $2,000.00 or more.

And now we want to select records based on two criteria, invoices that are for $2,000.00 or more and that were due more than a month ago. Our current date is December 1st so we want to select invoices with due dates before or less than November 1st. We switch back to design view in the criteria row for due date we type the less than symbol and November 1st then we leave this row access automatically adds pound signs marking this as a date. We can also design the query to select records that meet one criteria or another by putting one in the-or row. We switch to data sheet view again the query displays invoices that were due before November 1st and are for more than $2,000.00 so were finished with our query so we close it.

Saving our changes as we do, our query is listed in the database window. Now query is powerful tools you can sort select and even calculate data getting the information that you want in the way its more useful to you.