Combining First and Last Names in Access

Sometimes when I'm creating a query which will be used in a report, I like to display pieces of information together in one field. A common example of this is displaying first and last names together in one field. The principle itself is pretty straightforward, but sometimes the syntax can be a little confusing. We cover this topic in more depth in our Access Foundations Class (so you should click on the link and sign up) but this should get you on your way.

Whenever one creates a relational database in Access, it's important to separate information as much as possible in order in increase the flexibility of the queries that one can create. As a result, we often end up with a database where we separate elements that we normally combine. For example, when we address envelopes, we need the house number, street name, and zip code to be together. But when we enter those pieces of information in Access, we usually split them up so that we can sort, group and search them as separate elements.

In order to put them back together in a query, go to your

• Type the name of the first field in brackets (ex. [last_name])


• To add another field, type an Ampersand (ex> "&")


• Type the name of the second field in brackets (ex. [last_name]&[first_name])
  

You'll notice that this will just put the two fields together without any spaces, so it might be useful to put a space in between the two fields in quotes:

[last_name]&" "&[first_name]


Or you might even sneak a comma in there so it looks like this:

[last_name]&", "&[first_name]


Which will look like this:

"Urie, Jonathan"

In access, it will look like this:



The "Expr1:" from that picture simply refers to the name of this new field and the finished result looks like this: