I have 2 different union queries written in Access that both work there. I am in Excel and trying to use Import External Data – New Database Query to pull that information from the database. The smaller of the two union queries I am able to link to, but the larger one fails with a generic “can’t access table” error message. Is there a limit on the size or capacity of union queries that can be pulled into Excel?
![]() |
Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
SIGN IN | Not a member? | REGISTER | PLUS MEMBERSHIP |
-
Using MSQuery to Link to a UNION Query (2003 sp2)
Home » Forums » AskWoody support » Productivity software by function » MS Excel and spreadsheet help » Using MSQuery to Link to a UNION Query (2003 sp2)
- This topic has 7 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 5 months ago.
AuthorTopicWScchambers@work
AskWoody LoungerJanuary 8, 2008 at 8:16 pm #447517Viewing 1 reply threadAuthorReplies-
WSRudi
AskWoody LoungerJanuary 8, 2008 at 8:58 pm #1091655 -
WScchambers@work
AskWoody LoungerJanuary 8, 2008 at 9:28 pm #1091656I exported it to Excel. It only returns 6 results. There not too many that Excel can’t handle it. I also added the SQL from the query in Access. Can it be that it just cannot handle the table joins that occur on the database level? Would I have to rewrite the union using MSQuery directly to the original tables?
-
WScchambers@work
AskWoody Lounger -
WSHansV
AskWoody Lounger
-
-
-
WSHansV
AskWoody LoungerJanuary 8, 2008 at 9:29 pm #1091663There are many possible reasons why a query can’t be imported. Could you post a stripped down copy of your database? See post 401925 for instructions.
-
WScchambers@work
AskWoody LoungerJanuary 8, 2008 at 10:57 pm #1091680Hey, I figured it out. Hans, your last post prompted me to think it through. The original query was too complex. MSQuery couldn’t resolve around the joins because I was trying to do it outside of the database. When I nested the queries, I was able to simplify the logic. I attached a file so you could see the difference. I performed what I wanted to do in the original union as separate queries. Then I joined the results of those queries together in a union in access. I was then able to link to it from excel using MSQuery. Ah, ha! The answer as usual…simplify. Thanks again to all for the help.
-
WSHansV
AskWoody Lounger
-
-
Viewing 1 reply thread -

Plus Membership
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments.
Get Plus!
Welcome to our unique respite from the madness.
It's easy to post questions about Windows 11, Windows 10, Win8.1, Win7, Surface, Office, or browse through our Forums. Post anonymously or register for greater privileges. Keep it civil, please: Decorous Lounge rules strictly enforced. Questions? Contact Customer Support.
Search Newsletters
Search Forums
View the Forum
Search for Topics
Recent Topics
-
Very Quarrelsome Taskbar!
by
CWBillow
4 hours, 28 minutes ago -
Move OneNote Notebook OFF OneDrive and make it local
by
CWBillow
7 hours, 12 minutes ago -
Microsoft 365 to block file access via legacy auth protocols by default
by
Alex5723
8 hours, 30 minutes ago -
Is your battery draining?
by
Susan Bradley
1 hour, 9 minutes ago -
The 16-billion-record data breach that no one’s ever heard of
by
Alex5723
10 hours, 28 minutes ago -
Weasel Words Rule Too Many Data Breach Notifications
by
Nibbled To Death By Ducks
11 hours, 3 minutes ago -
Windows Command Prompt and Powershell will not open as Administrator
by
Gordski
14 hours, 18 minutes ago -
Intel Management Engine (Intel ME) Security Issue
by
PL1
5 hours, 2 minutes ago -
Old Geek Forced to Update. Buy a Win 11 PC? Yikes! How do I cope?
by
RonE22
7 hours, 33 minutes ago -
National scam day
by
Susan Bradley
10 hours, 28 minutes ago -
macOS Tahoe 26 the end of the road for Intel Macs, OCLP, Hackintosh
by
Alex5723
1 hour, 29 minutes ago -
Cyberattack on some Washington Post journalists’ email accounts
by
Bob99
1 day, 12 hours ago -
Tools to support internet discussions
by
Kathy Stevens
49 minutes ago -
How get Group Policy to allow specific Driver to download?
by
Tex265
1 day, 3 hours ago -
AI is good sometimes
by
Susan Bradley
1 day, 19 hours ago -
Mozilla quietly tests Perplexity AI as a New Firefox Search Option
by
Alex5723
1 day, 9 hours ago -
Perplexity Pro free for 12 mos for Samsung Galaxy phones
by
Patricia Grace
2 days, 19 hours ago -
June KB5060842 update broke DHCP server service
by
Alex5723
2 days, 18 hours ago -
AMD Ryzen™ Chipset Driver Release Notes 7.06.02.123
by
Alex5723
2 days, 22 hours ago -
Excessive security alerts
by
WSSebastian42
1 day, 12 hours ago -
* CrystalDiskMark may shorten SSD/USB Memory life
by
Alex5723
3 days, 7 hours ago -
Ben’s excellent adventure with Linux
by
Ben Myers
33 minutes ago -
Seconds are back in Windows 10!
by
Susan Bradley
2 days, 18 hours ago -
WebBrowserPassView — Take inventory of your stored passwords
by
Deanna McElveen
1 day, 12 hours ago -
OS news from WWDC 2025
by
Will Fastie
22 hours, 31 minutes ago -
Need help with graphics…
by
WSBatBytes
2 days, 2 hours ago -
AMD : Out of Bounds (OOB) read vulnerability in TPM 2.0 CVE-2025-2884
by
Alex5723
3 days, 23 hours ago -
Totally remove or disable BitLocker
by
CWBillow
2 days, 22 hours ago -
Windows 10 gets 6 years of ESU?
by
n0ads
3 days, 1 hour ago -
Apple, Google stores still offer China-based VPNs, report says
by
Nibbled To Death By Ducks
4 days, 9 hours ago
Recent blog posts
Key Links
Want to Advertise in the free newsletter? How about a gift subscription in honor of a birthday? Send an email to sb@askwoody.com to ask how.
Mastodon profile for DefConPatch
Mastodon profile for AskWoody
Home • About • FAQ • Posts & Privacy • Forums • My Account
Register • Free Newsletter • Plus Membership • Gift Certificates • MS-DEFCON Alerts
Copyright ©2004-2025 by AskWoody Tech LLC. All Rights Reserved.