Microsoft Web 4 Expression Download

[Catrin Muzquiz]

Althoughthe Expression Builder is available from many locations in Access, the most consistent way to display it is to put focus on a property box that takes an expression, such as Control Source or Default Value, and then click Expression Builder or press CTRL+F2.

The Expression Builder box helps you build expressions more quickly and accurately with smart tools and context-sensitive information. If you see the expanded Expression Builder, click Less >> to just display the Expression Builder box.

While the IntelliSense list is displayed, a short description, or Quick Tip, appears to the right of the currently selected item. The first item in the list is selected by default, but you can select any item in the list to view its Quick Tip. The Quick Tip can help you determine the purpose of a function, or what kind of control or property the item is.

2 Optional arguments are enclosed in square brackets ([]). The argument that you are currently typing is displayed in bold text. Don't confuse the square brackets that indicate optional arguments with the square brackets that enclose identifiers in the actual expression.

The expanded Expression Builder helps you look up and insert functions, operators, constants, and identifiers (for example, field names, tables, forms, and queries), saving time and reducing errors. If all you see is the Expression Builder box, click More >> to see the expanded Expression Builder, .

2 In the Expression Builder box, type your expression here, or automatically add expression elements by double-clicking items in the lists below. These lists work together as a hierarchy to help you drill down to the desired expression component.

The Expression Elements list displays the top-level elements that are available for you to build an expression, such as database objects, functions, constants, operators, and common expressions. The contents of this list are different depending on the context you are in. For example, if you are typing an expression in the Control Source property of a form, the list contains different items than if you are typing an expression in the Validation Rule property of a table.

4 In the Expression Categories list, click a category to view its values in the Expression Values list. If there are no values in the Expression Values list, double-click the category item to add it to the Expression Builder box.

The Expression Categories list contains specific elements or categories of elements for the selection that you make in the Expression Elements list. For example, if you click Built-In Functions in the Expression Elements list, the Expression Categories list displays function categories.

The Expression Values list displays the values, if any, for the elements and categories that you previously selected. For example, if you clicked Built-In Functions in the Expression Elements list and then clicked a function category in the Expression Categories list, the Expression Values list displays all the built-in functions for the selected category.

To view a Help topic that contains more information about the valid arguments for a function, select the function in the Expression Values list, and then click the link at the bottom of the Expression Builder.

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