Using Expression Builder in Forms

[DB505050]

I want to call up the Expression builder in an Access Form, and save the result as a string variable to use in a SQL string. Is this possible?

Actually, also what would work for me is if somehow the user could type in a text box and it automatically called up the tables/functions/etc. just as it does in expression builder. What I want is this auto lookup feature.

My goal is to use this built expression as part of a sql string. I want the user to be able to use the neat auto-lookup features of the expression builder.

Thank you!

 

[spikepl]

What are you trying to accomplish here (in plain English)? If the users do have enough competencies to manipulate the Expression Builder, then let them - let them make their own queries (no point in recreating existing functionality). If they don't, then what is the point?

 

[DB505050]

I want this functionality even for myself. In my line of work, we often have two tables with a matching field that you WOULD join on, but it has characters appended to the end. The solution is normally to create a query with a MID() function, and/or make a table from that, THEN link the tables together.

This is time consuming and is a repeated thing that could be simplified. I am building a form to make this link very automatic and I want to be able to call the expression builder (or at least to auto-lookup the functions and fields, much like SQL server always does in script or VBA while typing) because it ensures more accuracy in naming fields, etc.

Thanks!