Partial Match query design

[Amy E]

I am trying to run a query where I am looking at data in a customer table and
looking for matching records in a vendor table basing that match on the
vendor/customer name. I have some records where I may have a partial match
(ABC Company vs ABC Company, Inc.). If there are matches that are this close,
I would like the record returned.

Any ideas?

 

[Jeff Boyce]

Amy

Define "close"... no, seriously!

If you want Access to compare records and find "close" matches, you will
have to provide a MORE detailed description of how to do that than you would
if you hired someone to look them over. Access is pretty stupid (OK, make
that "literal").

Right off the top, I can imagine having two vendors (or customers) with
names that are close, or even identical. How would you want Access to
differentiate between them? How would you have a person differentiate?

Good luck!

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP

 

[Amy]

Access stupid? Nooooooo.

Well, the likelihood of us actually finding matches is not likely, so even
if it is a "close" match, I would want it returned as a "match". Example -
ABC Company and ABC Company, Inc. would be a close enough match that I would
want it returned as a result.

I don't think Access will be able to do this, but I'm taking a shot at it.

Thanks!

Amy

 

[Jeff Boyce]

If my assignment was to find "close" matches in a set of names, I would sort
the list alphabetically and apply USB (using someone's brain). I can spot
potentially close matches in an alphabetical list a lot faster than I can
program Access to try to find "close", ....

Good luck!

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP