What is the criteria for abstracting the first letter

[djclinton15]

From other databases & queries where I used the First Letter, I tried copying & replacing the names accordingly, but it’s giving me lots of trouble. It’s telling me I have too many brackets.

Here’s the criteria I’m trying to use: FirstLetter: Left$([Artists_Names_Similar_Artists_tbl.].[Artists_Names.],1))



Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[Minty]

If this is in a query

FirstLetter: Left$(Artists_Names,1)

Assuming the field name is unique in the query, if not

FirstLetter: Left$(Artists_Names_Similar_Artists_tbl.Artists_Names,1)

You only need the square brackets if your table/field names have spaces or match a reserved word.

[pbaldy]

Minty has given you the correct syntax, but I'll point out that you do have mismatched parentheses: one opening and two closing. You also have dots inside the brackets. I assume...hope...you don't actually have dots in your table and field names.

[djclinton15]

Thank you Minty for replying to my post. I tried your example & it's asking me to Enter a Parameter when I try running the query? I don't understand?/

[Welshgasman]

Thank you Minty for replying to my post. I tried your example & it's asking me to Enter a Parameter when I try running the query? I don't understand?/

And the parameter is?

[djclinton15]

I don't know. Never worked much with parameters.

[Welshgasman]

I don't know. Never worked much with parameters.

Well it will give you the name of the parameter it is looking for?
Generally occurs because someone cannot type correctly.

[Bulzie]

Dj one trick to find syntax on forms/fields is to open a query in design mode, go to any Criteria row box and right click and choose build, then go thru the options like select Forms, select your form (select the field) or if subform select that, then (select the field), and in the box at top, it will show you the syntax to access that field, usually you can just plug that in your code. Not sure if there is another way to do that.

[madpiet]

From other databases & queries where I used the First Letter, I tried copying & replacing the names accordingly, but it’s giving me lots of trouble. It’s telling me I have too many brackets.

Here’s the criteria I’m trying to use: FirstLetter: Left$([Artists_Names_Similar_Artists_tbl.].[Artists_Names.],1))

Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

SELECT ...
FROM Mytable
WHERE Artists_Names LIKE 'A%';

(Maybe it's * instead of % in Access... honestly can't even remember.)

[pbaldy]

SELECT ...
FROM Mytable
WHERE Artists_Names LIKE 'A%';

(Maybe it's * instead of % in Access... honestly can't even remember.)

You're correct, but unless I'm blind Like has not been mentioned or used in this thread.

Edit: Never mind, I see you're offering an alternative. Sorry.

[pbaldy]

It is * in Access unless using ADO.

[isladogs]

FWIW:
The default wildcard uses LIKE A* or if using ANSI-92 syntax ALIKE A%

[djclinton15]

I want to thank everyone for their input; I do apprechiate their time. I've used the First Letter criteria (for lack of a better word) in many other queries/databases & never had such issues. I don't understand why I'm having so much trouble? I like when Minty told me exactly what to type & I don't understand why her suggestions didn't work. I know that it's going to look & sound really dumb on my part, but honestly I don't understand what everyone had suggested. Although, I might have worked with Access/databases for years your still dealing with an amature.

[Welshgasman]

Although, I might have worked with Access/databases for years your still dealing with an amature.

Well we will try to not wind you up.

[pbaldy]

The name of the table and/or the field is spelled wrong.