XL97: Query Wizard May Not Appear When Editing Query

ID: Q171578

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

The Query Wizard may not appear when you edit an existing query. Instead, the query appears in Microsoft Query.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if the query does not use a certain format even if you originally created the query by using the Query Wizard. When you edit an existing query, the Query Wizard is designed to display queries that use either of the following two formats:

   (test = a) OR (test = b) OR (test = c)

   (test1 = a) AND (test2 = b) AND (test3 = c)

The expression must be a series of clauses that are in a single column connected by the OR operator, or a series of clauses that are in multiple columns connected the AND operator. That is, the expression must be represented in the Criteria pane as a single row or single column.

RESOLUTION

If the query does not meet either of the formats in the "Cause" section, you cannot edit the query by using the Query Wizard. You must modify the query in the Criteria pane in Microsoft Query.

STATUS

This behavior is by design of the Query Wizard.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Query, there are several options for retrieving external data. To take advantage of these options and ensure that you get the results you're looking for, keep the following guidelines in mind:

Use the Query Wizard when you want to create a simple query. With the Query Wizard, you can select the tables and fields you want to include, and an inner join is automatically created when the Query Wizard recognizes a primary key field in one table and a field with the same name in the other table. The Query Wizard also allows you to sort the external data range and do simple filtering before you return data to Microsoft Excel. When you create a query in the Query Wizard, you can also change it in the Query Wizard. After you create the query, you can run it in Microsoft Excel or in Microsoft Query.
Create a query in Microsoft Query when you want to create a more complex query. This method gives you the most control because you can narrow down the result set by creating an inner join or an outer join or by using criteria and expressions. Expressions are calculations you can make by using operators, functions, field names, and constants. You can perform more complex filtering by using criteria. You can view the result set in Microsoft Query. When you're sure the result set contains the data you want, you can return it to Microsoft Excel. After you create the query, you can run it in Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Query.

REFERENCES

For more information about the Query Wizard, click the Office Assistant, type "query wizard," click Search, and then click to view "Guidelines for constructing a query."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q120802
   TITLE     : Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office
               Program or Component

Additional query words: XL97

Keywords          : kbtool xlwiz xlquery 
Version           : WINDOWS:97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: November 1, 1998