Every query is an attempt to extract a subset of information contained within your database system. The Filter Building dialog is where you specify a set of conditions to determine the subset you are seeking. This set of conditions is your filter.

You can access this dialog from the Query List Manager by pressing the Add or Edit button.

Add a new condition.

You will be prompted to select a field, pick a relational operator and type in a comparison value.

Edit an existing condition.

Change a condition's field, operator, comparison value (or any combination of these).  These terms are explained below.

Switch a condition's connector between an AND and an OR.

If two conditions are connected by an "AND", both must be true (e.g., car color is blue and car make is Ford).  If, however, two conditions are connected by an "OR", either can be true (e.g., car is either blue or a Ford). 

Move the position of a condition within the list of conditions.

If you are mixing both "AND" and "OR" connectors or are using parentheses, the order of the conditions can determine which records are included in the query results.

Place or remove parentheses around two or more  conditions.

Complex queries may have several AND and OR connectors. The placement and organization of these connectors can make a difference in the results.

(See Making the Right Connections. in this section)

Delete a condition from the list.

Deleting a condition will generally widen the results of the query.

Exit this dialog without saving.

This will undo any changes you made while you were in this Filter Building Dialog.

Save and exit.

This will save your work and return you to the Query List Manager.

Display help.

This will display information you may find helpful.

AND

Customer ZIP exactly equals “11366”

AND

Product exactly equals “AX5000”

Every record included in the query results must meet both conditions. The customer ZIP must be 11366 and the product purchased must be AX5000.

RULE: The conditions on both sides of the AND connector must be true.

OR

Customer ZIP exactly equals “11366”

OR

Product exactly equals “AX5000”

Records included in the query results must meet either condition.   The results will show all customers in ZIP code 11366 and all customers who purchased product number AX5000.

RULE: Only one side of the OR condition must be true.

All orders for product AX5000 as well as customers in ZIP code 11366 who have not returned merchandise.

Product Exactly Matches "AX5000"

 OR     

(ZIP Code Exactly Matches "11366"

AND Returned is False)

Orders for product AX5000 as well as
customers from ZIP code 111366.

In both cases, we want to show records for only kept merchandise. So the Returned is False condition appears as a separate factor on the other side of the AND connector.

(Product Exactly Matches AX5000"

OR      

ZIP Code Exactly Matches "11366")

AND   

Returned is False