Question SQL editor for Access 2003 (1 Viewer)

[rkaupp]

Hello,

I'm not sure this is the right forum but I didn't find my answer through other searches.

I find the built-in SQL editor for queries in Access 2003 pretty limited, and I was wondering whether there is somewhere an external SQL editor (maybe available through an add-in to Access), which would do some of the following:

• SQL syntax highlighting
• Find / replace
• Helps you type table and field names

Any advice or previous experience ? I am currently using the Notepad whenever I get frustrated by Access' SQL query editor. I should maybe mention that I am looking for free software if possible (working in a charity and being on a tight budget!)

Thanks,
Rémi

 

[Scooterbug]

Have you tried building the query in the Query Builder first? That would save on having to type in the table and field names.

If you try and run a query that has a syntax error, Access should throw up an error and tell you/highlight the syntax error.

As for Find and Replace...you can copy the Sql into notepad, Find and Replace there, then copy and paste back into the Sql Editor.

 

[rkaupp]

Yes I regularly use the query builder, but then I have a number of UNION queries which are either impossible or hard to edit in the query builder (this is due to the design of the database, something I don't have control on unfortunately).

If there is a syntax error, actually Access tells me about it but doesn't highlight the error, so I have to guess more or less easily where it is. And syntax highlighting is useful when there are many fields involved and many conditions in a WHERE clause for instance.

Thanks,
Rémi

 

[Scooterbug]

Well, never had to use a plug in for query design....but a quick google search turned up a few.

One called Quick Query v1.1.2 ($20)
and Data Service and Query Builder Tool V1.1.0 ($29.95)

Never used em....but might be worth checking out.

 

[rkaupp]

Oh well, I think I'll find something using the links on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL_Programming_Tool. Thanks.