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
-
Acronis : Tracking Chaos RAT’s evolution (Windows, Linux)
by
Alex5723
34 minutes ago -
Turning off OneDrive
by
CWBillow
5 hours, 3 minutes ago -
June 2025 updates are out
by
Susan Bradley
39 minutes ago -
Mozilla shutting Deep Fake Detector
by
Alex5723
15 hours, 20 minutes ago -
Windows-Maintenance-Tool (.bat)
by
Alex5723
42 minutes ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26200.5641 released to DEV
by
joep517
17 hours, 52 minutes ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26120.4250 (24H2) released to BETA
by
joep517
17 hours, 54 minutes ago -
Install Office 365 Outlook classic on new Win11 machine
by
WSrcull999
17 hours, 52 minutes ago -
win 10 to win 11 with cpu/mb replacement
by
aquatarkus
9 hours, 44 minutes ago -
re-install Windows Security
by
CWBillow
21 hours, 9 minutes ago -
WWDC 2025 Recap: All of Apple’s NEW Features in 10 Minutes!
by
Alex5723
1 day ago -
macOS Tahoe 26
by
Alex5723
19 hours, 3 minutes ago -
Migrating from win10 to win11, instructions coming?
by
astro46
7 hours, 8 minutes ago -
Device Eligibility for Apple 2026 Operating Systems due this Fall
by
PKCano
9 hours, 35 minutes ago -
Recommended watching : Mountainhead movie
by
Alex5723
10 hours, 19 minutes ago -
End of support for Windows 10
by
Old enough to know better
10 hours, 16 minutes ago -
What goes on inside an LLM
by
Michael Covington
4 hours, 29 minutes ago -
The risk of remote access
by
Susan Bradley
8 minutes ago -
The cruelest month for many Office users
by
Peter Deegan
16 hours, 32 minutes ago -
Tracking protection and trade-offs in Edge
by
Mary Branscombe
14 hours, 34 minutes ago -
Supreme Court grants DOGE access to confidential Social Security records
by
Alex5723
1 day, 23 hours ago -
EaseUS Partition Master free 19.6
by
Alex5723
23 hours, 50 minutes ago -
Microsoft : Edge is better than Chrome
by
Alex5723
2 days, 12 hours ago -
The EU launched DNS4EU
by
Alex5723
3 days, 1 hour ago -
Cell Phone vs. Traditional Touchtone Phone over POTS
by
280park
2 days, 15 hours ago -
Lost access to all my networked drives (shares) listed in My Computer
by
lwerman
3 days, 6 hours ago -
Set default size for pasted photo to word
by
Cyn
3 days, 12 hours ago -
Dedoimedo tries 24H2…
by
Cybertooth
3 days ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 27871 released to Canary
by
joep517
4 days, 11 hours ago -
Windows 11 ad from Campaign Manager in Windows 10
by
Jim McKenna
2 days, 4 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.