Pass through query giving an invalid column error

[Guest]

I am trying to write a pass through query using Access 2000. My source table
has a field that has three blank spaces as a place holder. I do not want or
need records that have three blanks in this field as well as records numbered
840. I am trying to write an SQL statement that will eliminate those records
from my query. I am using the following code:

select

.[field]
from

WHERE ((Not (

.[field] )= "840" or Not (

.[field] )=" "));

I get an error at line 3 invalid column name '840' and ' '. I can remove
the quotes for the 840 and it runs and exlcudes records that are 840. Quotes
or no quotes I cannot get it to remove the three spaces fields. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[John Spencer]

If it is a pass-through query, you should probably be using single quotes
for the text.

SELECT FIELD
FROM TABLE
WHERE Field <> 840 and Field <> ' '

--
John Spencer
Access MVP 2002-2005, 2007
Center for Health Program Development and Management
University of Maryland Baltimore County
..