Update Query - Operation Must Use An Updatable Query

[Cheryl Lamonds]

I am trying to create an update query and get the message
shown in the subject when I try to run it.

Table 1 is linked to Query 1 by three fields. Query 1 is
a summary query.

Two numeric fields in Table 1 are to be updated to a
value calculated from a field in Table 1 and a field in
Query 1.

When I run the query, I get "Operation must use an
updatable query". I have read the Help and looked online
for an answer and found nothing that helps.

When I replace Query 1 with the source table for Query 1,
it runs fine.

I am not trying to update Query 1, so what is the message
trying to tell me?

 

[John Spencer (MVP)]

It is trying to tell you that if you use a summary query in an update query that
you cannot. It doesn't really make sense in most cases, but that is the way it
was set up. See an summary query in a query anywhere but in the WHERE clause
and Access automatically says - updates not allowed.

You may be able to work around the problem by using the domain functions - DSum,
DMax, DMin, etc. If not, then you may have to build a temporary table to hold
the values you need from the summary (make table query based on the summary
query) and then link to that.