How to Use SQL with Microsoft Access

Microsoft Access is a database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Access Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. It is a member of the Microsoft 365 suite of applications, included in the Professional and higher editions or sold separately.

What is SQL?

• SQL stands for Structured Query Language

• SQL lets you access and manipulate databases

• SQL became a standard of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 1986, and of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1987

• What Can SQL do?

• SQL can execute queries against a database

• SQL can retrieve data from a database

• SQL can insert records in a database

• SQL can update records in a database

• SQL can delete records from a database

• SQL can create new databases

• SQL can create new tables in a database

• SQL can create stored procedures in a database

• SQL can create views in a database

• SQL is a standard language for accessing and manipulating databases.

• SQL can set permissions on tables, procedures, and views

• SQL is a Standard - BUT....

• Although SQL is an ANSI/ISO standard, there are different versions of the SQL language.

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However, to be compliant with the ANSI standard, they all support at least the major commands (such as SELECT, UPDATE, DELETE, INSERT, WHERE) in a similar manner.

Note: Most of the SQL database programs also have their own proprietary extensions in addition to the SQL standard!