Specifying Parameter Marker Characters

To mark a name as a parameter and not as a string of literal characters, you place a prefix in front of the parameter name (and, as an option, a suffix after it). For example, parameter marker characters might be "@", ":", or "%".

For example, in your query you might define a parameter called "last name." To indicate that "last name" is a parameter and not a string to search for in the lname column, you might specify that the parameter marker characters are "[" and "]". You can then enter "[last name]" as a search condition value, and the Query Designer will correctly interpret "last name" as a parameter.

In rare instances, the parameter marker character you define might also appear in the name of the parameter. If so, you can specify an escape character. For details, see Parameters Tab, Properties Window.

To specify parameter marker characters

1. Right-click in any pane of the Query Designer, and then from the shortcut menu choose Properties.
   
   
2. In the Properties dialog box choose the Parameters tab.
   
   
3. Enter the parameter prefix character or characters and, if you intend to use one, a suffix character. (You can specify a suffix character only if you have specified a prefix character.) If you need to specify one, enter an escape character.

See Also

Creating a Query with Named Parameters | Parameter Queries