The question mark represents
one unknown character. So using a criteria like “N?D” would only find
three letter “N…D” words like “Ned” and “Nod.” You can type as many
question marks as you need to fill in the requisite unknown characters.
So typing “N??D” will find words like “Need” and “Nerd.”
When you
type wildcard characters in Access into the criteria row of the QBE
grid, Access will place the word “Like” before them. This is simply the
required syntax. It is not necessary for you to type it in yourself, if
you do not wish to, as Access will add it for you. However, do not worry
if it appears in your criteria, either.
Wildcard Characters in Access: Instructions
- Open the query into which you would like to insert wildcard character criteria in query design view.
- Click into the “Criteria:” row underneath the field into which you want to place the criteria.
- Type the criteria for which you want to search, using the appropriate wildcard characters:
? = a single unknown character.
* = multiple unknown characters.
- Click “Save” in the Quick Access toolbar to save your changes.
Wildcard Characters in Access: Video Lesson
The following video lesson, titled “8.2- Using Wildcard Characters in Criteria,” shows how to add wildcard characters in Access. This video is from our complete Access tutorial, titled “Mastering Access Made Easy v.2013-2007,”
which is available for sale from TeachUcomp, Inc. You can see a picture
of the training interface shown below the video lesson.
