Manipulating Data

In addition to viewing the contents of tables, you can use the Query Designer or View Designer to modify data, such as editing the contents of columns, adding new rows, and deleting existing rows. Using the graphical features of the Query Designer and View Designer, you can modify data in tables two ways:

• Execute a Select query, then edit the data directly in the Results pane.
  
  
• Create a query to update, delete, or copy data in tables or updateable views.

Note   If you are familiar with SQL, you can also execute any statement in the SQL pane, including those that update or delete data in tables or updateable views. The features discussed in this section relate primarily to capabilities that are available by using the Diagram, Grid, and Results panes.

Editing directly in the Results pane is similar to editing in a form or spreadsheet. You can see the changes immediately, and if there is a problem (for example, you attempt to enter data that does not match the data type of a column), you are notified as soon as you try to move to another row. For details, see Editing Rows in the Results Pane.

Alternatively, you can create a query to update, delete, or copy the data of many rows in one operation. For example, you can create one query that changes the status of all the employees who have worked at the company more than five years, or a set of two queries that first copy and then delete all orders more than two years old.

See Also

Adding New Rows in the Results Pane | Creating Delete Queries | Deleting Rows in the Results Pane | Editing Rows in the Results Pane