No matter what I try I always get the same error of "#Name?" down the "date/time" column.

That doesn't go in a fields control source, it goes in the forms record source.

Alternatively, you can use that order by and put FirstName or whatever field you want

Hi Adam,

Thanks! I remember that, however I also recall in one of the previous expert classes Rick mentioned that sometimes the filter and or order by options have just disappeared in his experience for no reason. Thus, he was teaching the simple sql tweaks that he used in previous lessons. Am I recalling incorrectly?

I haven't encountered it yet, it may be in an older version of access where he discussed it (a lot of problems aren't quite as bad 20 years later). But if you want to be on the safe side you can still use the SQL record source, it just needs to go in the form record source rather than in the fields control source.

ok Thanks! I will try that.