Crosstab Queries

A Crosstab query displays summarized information in a table format that makes it easy to analyze and compare data. The Crosstab Query Wizard is usually much easier, but it does have some limitations:

• If you need to use more than one table or query in the Crosstab query, you will first need to create a separate query that contains the tables you want to use.
• You can't specify any limiting criteria when using the Crosstab Query Wizard. (But you can always modify the crosstab query in Design view and add the criteria yourself.)

1. Click the Create tab on the ribbon.
2. Click the Query Wizard button.

   The New Query dialog box appears, displaying different kinds of Query Wizards.

3. Select Crosstab Query Wizard and click OK.
   

   The first step of the Crosstab Query Wizard appears. Here you need to select the table or query that contains the values you want to use.

4. Select the table or query you want to use and click Next.
   

   Now you need to specify which fields you want to see in the query.

5. Select which field you want to use as the row headings, click the right arrow button and click Next.
   

   The next step is to determine which field you want to use for your column headings.

6. Select the field you want to use as the column heading and click Next.

   If you select a date field, the Wizard will also ask you how you want to group the dates.

   

   One of the most important steps in the Crosstab Query Wizard is determining which field you want to calculate where columns and rows intersect and the type of calculation you want to use to summarize the fields.

7. Select the field you want to summarize and click Next.
   
8. Select the type of calculation you want to use to summarize the field and click Next.
   
9. Enter a name for the Crosstab query and click Finish.
   

Access saves the crosstab query and displays its results.

Once you've created the Crosstab query, you can display it in Design View to make modifications such as adding limiting criteria to certain fields.