Find a String Within a String in Microsoft Access

In this Microsoft Access tutorial, I'm going to show you how to determine whether or not a specific substring appears inside of another string using the InStr function in a query. It also works in VBA. 

Freddy from Arlington, Texas (a Gold Member) asks: My vendor uses a status code that has the characters "DSC" in it if the part has been discontinued. Problem is, that status code also includes a bunch of other random information we don't care about. How can I indicate which parts have that code. I know how to do a search manually, and I know how to do a wildcard search in a query, but that shows ONLY those records. I still want to see all of the rest of them.

Pre-Requisites

• Wildcard Search and LIKE: https://599cd.com/Like
• Calculated Query Fields: https://599cd.com/Calculated
• IIF Function: https://599cd.com/IIF

Links

• String Functions: https://599cd.com/String
• Microsoft on InStr: https://tinyurl.com/2ayxfh6l
• InStrRev: https://599cd.com/InStrRev

Recommended Courses

• Access Expert 25 String Functions: https://599cd.com/ACX25

Learn More FREE Access Beginner Level 1 FREE Access Quick Start in 30 Minutes Access Level 2 for just $1 Free Templates TechHelp Free Templates Blank Template Contact Management Order Entry & Invoicing More Access Templates

Resources Mailing List - Get emails when new videos released Consulting - Need help with your database Tip Jar - Your tips are graciously accepted Questions? Please feel free to post your questions or comments below or post them in the Forums.

Keywords

access 2016, access 2019, access 2021, access 365, microsoft access, ms access, ms access tutorial, #msaccess, #microsoftaccess, #help, #howto, #tutorial, #learn, #lesson, #training, #database, #fasttips, InStr Function, string within a string, find a character in a string, search for a word, find a substring