Change a field name in a query

Changing a field name in the query design grid changes the column heading in query Datasheet view. In addition, if you create a new object, such as a new form, report, or data access page, based on the query, the new object uses the new field name. For example, if you create a control to display the renamed field, the new field name will be used for the control name and its label caption. The field name in the underlying table doesn't change, however, nor does it change in forms and reports that were based on the query before you changed the field name.

You can rename a field in a query to describe the field's data more accurately. This is particularly useful when you define a new calculated field or calculate a sum, count, or another type of total on an existing field. In such cases, unless you enter a name, Microsoft Access assigns names such as Expr1 or SumOfOrder Amount.

Rename a field

Note   Changing a field's name in the current query's design grid has no effect in query Datasheet view if the Caption property for that field has been set in the underlying table or query.

1. Open a query in Design view.
2. Place the insertion point to the left of the first letter of the field name in the design grid.
3. Type the new name followed by a colon.

   

Note   If you're replacing the field name Expr1 (or Expr2, and so on) that Access automatically assigned, replace only the name, not the expression that follows the colon.

If you want the new field name to be used only for datasheet columns, or label captions in forms, reports, and data access pages, you can set the Caption property for the field instead of renaming the field in the design grid.

Change a field's caption

1. Open a query in Design view.
2. In the design grid, click anywhere in the column of the field whose caption you want to change, and then click Properties on the toolbar.
3. In the Caption property box, type the new caption for the field.