ACC: "Circular Reference Caused by Alias" Error Message

ID: Q97526

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

When you try to run a query, the query fails, and you receive the following error message:

Circular reference caused by alias '<field name>' in query definition's SELECT list.


CAUSE

The alias, or label, of a calculated field cannot be identical to any of the field names used to calculate the field.


RESOLUTION

Change the name of the alias or label used by the calculated expression or let Microsoft Access automatically assign an alias or label.


MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior


  1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb (or NWIND.MDB in versions 1.x and 2.0).


  2. Create the following query based on the Products table: 
    
      Query: Test Query
      -----------------------------------
      Type: Select Query
        Field: UnitPrice: [UnitPrice]/100
        Table: Products

    NOTE: In versions 1.x and 2.0, there is a space in the Unit Price field name.


  3. On the Query menu, click Run. Note that you receive the following error message:
    Circular reference caused by alias 'UnitPrice' in query definition's SELECT list.


To resolve the error, replace the UnitPrice label with Price. For example:
Field: Price: [UnitPrice]/100
NOTE: In versions 1.x and 2.0, there is a space in Unit Price.


REFERENCES

For more information about renaming fields in queries, search the Help Index for "Renaming fields," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office Assistant. 


Keywords          : kberrmsg kbusage QryOthr 
Version           : 1.0 1.1 2.0 7.0 97
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: March 20, 1999