Quick update.  I have a field in the query that asks for a Date.  That works because when I run the query, I do get a popup box and the date I typed into the popup box does show correctly in that field in the query resullts.  I named that field StartDate:.

The problem is, the other query field that has the Dcount in it, needs to reference that start date and when I type [StartDate] in the dcount, it cannot find the field named [StartDate] even tho that is the name of that field.  I'm sure this is something silly I am missing.

@ Kyle  In one of Richard's videos on parameter queries he shows how to get a value from a Form to stuff into a query. That's a more aesthetic approach for users. I've never tried pulling a value from a query much less from the criteria for one. It may be possible (using the query name instead of the form name), but I wouldn't waste my time as I don't directly present users with queries. Forms and reports are meant for users, IMHO. With a form, you can verify that a date was entered and not some gibberish.

ok gotcha...so basically a small form with an unbound field with an inputbox behind it.  Then a variable would be set to the inputted value, then open the query and pass that value into the query?  Something like that?

Parameter Query

Value From a Form

Thank you everyone.  I ended up creating a button on my main menu, which opens a small, unbound form with 2 unbound fields.  (start date and end date)  I have a button on that small pop up form to create tempvars for start date and end date, setting the tempvars equal to the values from the start date and end date fields on the popup form.  Then it opens the query.  I have added those 2 tempvars as parameters in the query and that did the trick.  Working well.  Thanks for the help.