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All Tutorials /MS Access

How to Create Wildcard Queries MS Access

Updated on:
June 5, 2026
By:
Madhav Bhandari
Use this interactive demo to learn how to build wildcard queries in Microsoft Access.

Quick summary

A wildcard query in Microsoft Access lets you search database records using partial text matches with the Like operator and wildcard characters. This tutorial walks you through the full process inside Access's Query Design view, from adding a table to running filtered results.


Steps

  1. Go to the Create tab in the Microsoft Access ribbon.
  2. Click Query Design to open a new query in design view.
  3. Add the table you want to search, then click Add Selected Tables.
  4. Drag the field you want to search into the query grid.
  5. In the Criteria row of the field, enter your Like statement with the appropriate wildcard characters.
  6. Click Run on the ribbon to execute the query and view the filtered results.

📌 Why this matters

Wildcard queries in Microsoft Access are essential for searching database records when you only know part of a value, such as a partial name, code, or keyword. Using the Like operator with wildcard characters allows users to retrieve flexible, pattern-matched results without writing complex SQL. This capability saves time for database administrators, analysts, and business users who need to filter large datasets quickly and accurately. Mastering wildcard queries in Access improves data retrieval efficiency and reduces the need for manual record-by-record searching.
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