Cheers, Peter, but not much point to the forum if people don't ask for advice. Not only will every possible question about access et al have been answered on this very forum over the years, but every answer is in lots of books too.
We have forums for the interaction - when it is helpful. Helpful folks helping others - the very essence of the real internet.
And, Peter, I'm asking about sql, not vb nor vba.
It may have amused some experienced members to see you acting superior like this, but it hasn't helped, has it? I don't know the answer still - whereas I could have got it in a straight forward helpful way from another forum. I am upset to have felt obliged to answer your dismissiveness, and it's an unfair reflection on access-programmers.co.uk.
And you have missed the chance to show that you do know the answer - if you do.