Direct SQL View
By Richard Rost
3 years ago
New Feature: Open Queries Directly to SQL View
In this Microsoft Access tutorial, I'll show you the new feature just added to Microsoft Access 365. You can now open queries directly in SQL view. This works in the Navigation Pane, VBA code, and with macros.
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TechHelp Access 2016, Access 2019, Access 2021, Access 365, Microsoft Access, MS Access, MS Access Tutorial, #msaccess, #microsoftaccess, #help, #howto, #tutorial, #learn, #lesson, #training, #database, direct sql view, open sql view, docmd.openquery, acviewsql
Intro In this video, we will talk about the new Direct SQL View feature in Microsoft Access, which lets you open queries directly in SQL view from the navigation pane, using VBA code, or macros. I will show you how this update can save time compared to the old method and discuss which versions of Access support this feature. We will also cover steps to update Access if you do not see this option and go over how to use the new acViewSQL option in your code or macros.Transcript Welcome to another TechHelp video brought to you by AccessLearningZone.com. I'm your instructor, Richard Rost.
Today we are going to talk about a new feature that was added to Microsoft Access. You can now open queries directly in SQL view either from the navigation pane, in your code, or in a macro. Let's talk about it.
Shout out to the guys over at Access Forever, where I get a lot of my Access news from. Here is the link to their article down here. I'll put it in the description below so you can click on it if you want to go read it.
They go over all the details. Apparently, you can just right-click in the navigation pane and go to SQL view now. That is a big time saver for me because before, you had to open it up, go to design view, and then in design view go to SQL view. I like working in SQL view most of the time myself.
They also added it to the DoCmd.OpenQuery where you can now open it in acViewSQL. That is pretty cool. You could put a button on your forms if your form is tied to a query, for example. Or if you are still using macros, there is a new macro option for it. So there you go.
Again, head on over to their website if you want to read the full article.
Now, what is that you say? You do not see that option? You come over here, you right-click, and you do not see SQL view? You might have to update Access.
I always recommend an Access 365 subscription. But if you have one of these versions here, it looks like 2016 C2R, 2019, 2021, and of course 365, it should update in any of these versions. At least, that is what the Access Forever guys posted. But again, I recommend a subscription, so go get yourself a subscription.
Once you do, you can force an update. Go to File, then Account, and then go to Update Options and do an Update Now. I had to do one this morning because I did not have it either. When all that is done, Access is going to shut down. You can restart it.
You should now be able to right-click and go to SQL view. That is pretty cool. You can still right-click here and go back to design if you like working in design view.
You can also put a button on a form and use that VBA code that I showed you a minute ago. Or if you are still using macros, put it in a macro.
That is about it. Real quick one for today, folks. Hope you learned something. That is going to be your TechHelp video for today. Live long and prosper, my friends. I will see you next time.Quiz Q1. What is the primary new feature added to Microsoft Access discussed in the video?
A. The ability to export queries directly to Excel from the navigation pane
B. The ability to open queries directly in SQL view from the navigation pane, code, or macros
C. The ability to import tables from other databases automatically
D. The ability to print queries from the navigation pane
Q2. What was the traditional way to open a query in SQL view before the new feature?
A. Right-click and select SQL view directly from the navigation pane
B. Double-click the query to open it in SQL view
C. Open the query in design view, then switch to SQL view
D. Open the query in datasheet view and convert it to SQL view
Q3. What command can be used in VBA to now open queries directly in SQL view?
A. DoCmd.RunMacro
B. DoCmd.TransferSQL
C. DoCmd.OpenQuery with acViewSQL
D. DoCmd.CloseSQL
Q4. Which Microsoft Access versions are mentioned as supporting this new SQL view feature after updating?
A. Only Access 2013 and earlier
B. Access 2016 C2R, 2019, 2021, and 365
C. Only Access 365
D. Only Access 2010
Q5. What should a user do if they do not see the SQL view option when right-clicking a query in the navigation pane?
A. Reinstall Access completely
B. Update Access to the latest version
C. Purchase a new computer
D. Uninstall all add-ins
Q6. What does the instructor recommend regarding Access versions?
A. Use Access only in web browsers
B. Stick to perpetual licenses like 2016 only
C. Get an Access 365 subscription for the best update experience
D. Never update Access after installation
Q7. What is a method other than the navigation pane to open a query in SQL view mentioned in the video?
A. Using Access Options menu
B. Using VBA code with DoCmd.OpenQuery and acViewSQL
C. Exporting queries to SQL Server
D. Copying query SQL to Notepad
Q8. If a user prefers not to use VBA, what other automation method supports the new SQL view feature?
A. Using linked tables
B. Outlook automation
C. Macros with the new option for SQL view
D. Import macros from Excel
Answers: 1-B; 2-C; 3-C; 4-B; 5-B; 6-C; 7-B; 8-C
DISCLAIMER: Quiz questions are AI generated. If you find any that are wrong, don't make sense, or aren't related to the video topic at hand, then please post a comment and let me know. Thanks.Summary Today's TechHelp tutorial from Access Learning Zone focuses on a new feature added to Microsoft Access that lets users open queries directly in SQL view, whether from the navigation pane, within your VBA code, or through a macro.
Previously, if you wanted to see the SQL view for a query, you had to open the query, switch to design view, and then change to SQL view. With this latest update, you can simply right-click the query from the navigation pane and select SQL view, saving time and steps. I personally work in SQL view quite often, so this is a feature I really appreciate.
In addition to this navigation pane shortcut, Microsoft has also added support for opening queries in SQL view using the DoCmd.OpenQuery command with the acViewSQL option. This means you could create a button on your forms that opens related queries right in SQL view. If you use macros, there is now an option to achieve the same thing.
If you try to use these new features and do not see the SQL view option after right-clicking a query, you may need to update your version of Access. While the feature has rolled out to Access 2016 C2R, 2019, 2021, and 365, I always recommend a Microsoft 365 subscription for regular updates and the latest tools. To manually update Access, go to File, select Account, then Update Options, and choose Update Now. After Access finishes updating and restarts, you should be able to right-click and access SQL view directly. Of course, you can always go back to design view if that is your preference.
For those who want to integrate this into their forms or macros, you can use the updated VBA code or macro features as described earlier. This enhancement makes working with queries in Access much more flexible.
That wraps up today's TechHelp session. You can find a complete video tutorial with step-by-step instructions for everything covered here on my website at the link below. Live long and prosper, my friends.Topic List Opening queries in SQL view from the navigation pane
Using DoCmd.OpenQuery with acViewSQL
Opening queries in SQL view with macros
Updating Access to enable new features
Access version compatibility for SQL view feature
Forcing an Office update to get new Access features |
