Do I use an update or append query

[Guest]

I have a table that contains item numbers and descriptions for products we
sell.
Since new items are being generated daily I need a way to add new ones in
before using this table to generate reports. Whats the difference between the
two queries?

 

[Joseph Meehan]

I have a table that contains item numbers and descriptions for
products we sell.
Since new items are being generated daily I need a way to add new
ones in before using this table to generate reports. Whats the
difference between the two queries?

If you are adding information via data entry vs. updating from existing
electronic information, you would not use either an update or append query.
Normally you would use a simple select query or maybe better a form.

An update query changes values in existing records based on some form of
formula or existing data. An append query adds new records from an existing
data source to your existing table.

 

[Guest]

Why when I use an append query do I get a message that I am about append
(Example 12856 rows.) when I know that the new items added could only be
10-20 records at the most?

 

[John Vinson]

Why when I use an append query do I get a message that I am about append
(Example 12856 rows.) when I know that the new items added could only be
10-20 records at the most?

Presumably because you've made a mistake in setting up the append
query. Perhaps you could post the SQL of the query and indicate why
you expect that number of rows.

One common error is to include the target table (into which the data
will be appended) in the query. You should base the append query on
the "source" table - with its 10-20 rows selected; the target table is
only used in the INTO clause of the SQL.

John W. Vinson[MVP]

 

[Joseph Meehan]

Why when I use an append query do I get a message that I am about
append (Example 12856 rows.) when I know that the new items added
could only be 10-20 records at the most?

You could have a join - relationship situation where you might get all
those rows. Try changing the query to a simple select query and see what's
there.