Still confused about queries to similate vlookup

[Dan]

Normally I would just dump this into excel, but the file that I am dealing
with has over 1.5 million rows so excel can't stomach it. Here is what I
have done. I have one table (MAIN) that is my main table. It contains all
the raw data. I need to convert a city code to a city name. I have another
table (CITY) with the conversions from city code to city name. Both tables
contain all the city codes. All I want to do is put the city names into my
MAIN table next to their corresponding city code (there are about 4000
different cities). I have related the tables relating the city code and
tried making a query but I am lost. What do I need to do.

 

[John W. Vinson]

Normally I would just dump this into excel, but the file that I am dealing
with has over 1.5 million rows so excel can't stomach it. Here is what I
have done. I have one table (MAIN) that is my main table. It contains all
the raw data. I need to convert a city code to a city name. I have another
table (CITY) with the conversions from city code to city name. Both tables
contain all the city codes. All I want to do is put the city names into my
MAIN table next to their corresponding city code (there are about 4000
different cities). I have related the tables relating the city code and
tried making a query but I am lost. What do I need to do.

Queries are your friends. They make it *UNNECESSARY* to "put the city names
into your MAIN table" at all.

Instead, create a Query. Add the MAIN table to the query, then add the CITY
table. Join the two tables on the city code. Select whatever fields you want
to see from the MAIN table, and the city name from the CITY table (you don't
need to select the city code at all, unless you have some reason to see it).

Now you can open this query - *not your table* - to see the data in
conjunction. Better, you can base a Form (for onscreen viewing) or Report (for
printing), *on the query*, not on the table.

Tables have only one function - data storage. If you're opening the table to
edit or view your data, you're missing that fact! Tables aren't designed for
that purpose.

Take a look at the resorces here, particularly the tutorials - Crystal's video
might be worth a look.

Jeff Conrad's resources page:
http://www.accessmvp.com/JConrad/accessjunkie/resources.html

The Access Web resources page:
http://www.mvps.org/access/resources/index.html

Roger Carlson's tutorials, samples and tips:
http://www.rogersaccesslibrary.com/

A free tutorial written by Crystal:
http://allenbrowne.com/casu-22.html

A video how-to series by Crystal:
http://www.YouTube.com/user/LearnAccessByCrystal

MVP Allen Browne's tutorials:
http://allenbrowne.com/links.html#Tutorials

 

[Dan]

Thank you John. It worked! I've spent way to long trying to make access act
like excel. Your poste has helped me understand why I shouldn't.