This article explains how to create and run an append query. You use an append query when you need to add new records to an existing table by using data from other sources.
If you need to change data in an existing set of records, such as updating the value of a field, you can use an update query. If you need to make a new table from a selection of data, or to merge two tables into one new table, you can use a make-table query. For more information about update queries or make-table queries, or for general information about other ways to add records to a database or change existing data, see the See Also section.
An append query selects records from one or more data sources and copies the selected records to an existing table.
For example, suppose that you acquire a database that contains a table of potential new customers, and that you already have a table in your existing database that stores that kind of data. You'd like to store the data in one place, so you decide to copy it from the new database into your existing table. To avoid entering the new data manually, you can use an append query to copy the records.
By using a query to copy data, you can:
The process of creating an append query follows these basic steps:
Important: You cannot undo an append query. Consider backing up your database or the destination table.
| Criteria | Effect |
|---|---|
| > 234 | Returns all numbers greater than 234. To find all numbers less than 234, use < 234. |
| >= "Callahan" | Returns all records from Callahan through the end of the alphabet. |
| Between #2/2/2017# And #12/1/2017# | Returns dates from 2-Feb-17 through 1-Dec-17 (ANSI-89). If your database uses the ANSI-92 wildcard characters, use single quotation marks (') instead of pound signs. Example: Between '2/2/2017' And '12/1/2017'. |
| Not "Germany" | Finds all records where the exact contents of the field are not exactly equal to "Germany." The criterion will return records that contain characters in addition to "Germany," such as "Germany (euro)" or "Europe (Germany)". |
| Not "T*" | Finds all records except those beginning with T. If your database uses the ANSI-92 wildcard character set, use the percent sign (%) instead of the asterisk (*). |
| Not "*t" | Finds all records that do not end with t. If your database uses the ANSI-92 wildcard character set, use the percent sign instead of the asterisk. |
| In(Canada,UK) | In a list, finds all records containing Canada or UK. |
| Like "[A-D]*" | In a Text field, finds all records that start with the letters A through D. If your database uses the ANSI-92 wildcard character set, use the percent sign instead of the asterisk. |
| Like "*ar*" | Finds all records that include the letter sequence "ar". If your database uses the ANSI-92 wildcard character set, use the percent sign instead of the asterisk. |
| Like "Maison Dewe?" | Finds all records that begin with "Maison" and that also contain a 5-letter second string in which the first 4 letters are "Dewe" and the last letter is unknown (indicated by a question mark). If your database uses the ANSI-92 wildcard character set, use the underscore (_) instead of the question mark. |
| #2/2/2017# | Finds all records for February 2, 2017. If your database uses the ANSI-92 wildcard character set, surround the date with single quotation marks instead of pound signs (#). Example: '2/2/2017'. |
| < Date() - 30 | Returns all dates more than 30 days old. |
| Date() | Returns all records containing today's date. |
| Between Date() And DateAdd("M", 3, Date()) | Returns all records between today's date and three months from today's date. |
| Is Null | Returns all records that contain a null (blank or undefined) value. |
| Is Not Null | Returns all records that contain a value. |
| "" | Returns all records that contain a zero-length string. You use zero-length strings when you need to add a value to a required field, but you don't yet know what that value is. For example, a field may require a fax number, but some of your customers may not have fax machines. In that case, you enter a pair of double quotation marks with no space between them ("") instead of a number. |
The way that you choose destination fields depends on how you created your select query in Step 1.
Added all the fields from your source table or query
Adds all the fields in the destination table to the Append to row in the design grid
Added individual fields to the query or used expressions, and the field names in the source and destination tables match
Automatically adds the matching destination fields to the Append to row in the query
Added individual fields or used expressions, and any of the names in the source and destination tables don't match
Adds the matching fields, and leaves unmatched fields blank
If Access leaves fields blank, you can click a cell in the Append to row and select a destination field.
This figure illustrates how you click a cell in the Append to row and select a destination field.
Note: If you leave the destination field blank, the query will not append data to that field.
Tip: To quickly switch views, right-click the tab at the top of the query, and then click the view that you want.
to append the records.
Note: While running a query that returns a large amount of data you might get an error message indicating that you will not be able to undo the query. Try increasing the limit on the memory segment to 3MB to allow the query to go through.
If you try to run an append query and it seems like nothing happens, check the Access status bar for the following message:
This action or event has been blocked by Disabled Mode.
To fix this, click Enable Content in the Message Bar to enable the query.
Note: When you enable the append query, you also enable all other database content.
If you don't see the Message Bar, it may be hidden. You can show it, unless it has also been disabled. If the Message Bar has been disabled, you can enable it.
