How can I quickly start typing SQL in Microsoft Access? - sql

Question

In Microsoft Access 2016, I would like to click somewhere and start typing SQL of new query right away. But the shortest way to start typing SQL (which I found so far) is:
Select menu Create > Query Design.
In Show Table window, press Close button.
Switch to SQL view.
Start typing SQL.
Too cumbersome. Can be the above steps 1–3 reduced to a shorter procedure? Did I overlook some command?
The fastest I can do is to put commands for steps 1 and 3 to Quick Access Toolbar and then I can for example do Alt+5, Esc, Alt+6. But this still only executes steps 1–3.

Answer 1

The function below creates or alters a simple placeholder query, opens it in Design View, switches to SQL View with its text highlighted, and then deletes the text.
Use the function as the RunCode action of a macro and add the macro to the Quick Access Toolbar. Then you can click that icon and start typing your SQL.
Public Function NewQuery()
Const cstrQueryName As String = "USysQuery0"
Dim db As DAO.Database
Dim qdf As DAO.QueryDef
Dim strSql As String
strSql = "SELECT Date() AS Today;"
Set db = CurrentDb
For Each qdf In db.QueryDefs
If qdf.Name = cstrQueryName Then
Exit For
End If
Next
If qdf Is Nothing Then
Set qdf = db.CreateQueryDef(cstrQueryName)
End If
qdf.SQL = strSql
qdf.Close
DoCmd.OpenQuery cstrQueryName, acViewDesign
DoCmd.RunCommand acCmdSQLView
DoCmd.RunCommand acCmdDelete
End Function

Answer 2

Option 1: deal with it.
By default, Access doesn't support anything faster than this.
Option 2: create a macro in your Access database to automate the task, and bind this to a key combination
You could write a macro to automate command bar actions, and bind that macro to a shortcut. I currently don't have time to look up the required commands but am certain it's possible.
Option 3: buy a plugin
There are plugins out there that immediately go to SQL view, support having the SQL and results on the same pane, have syntax highlighting, etc.
An example of such a plugin is Access SQL editor (I'm not affiliated in any way)
Option 4: Create your own.
Writing your own SQL editor that's better than what Access offers by default is very simple, because Access offers very little by default.
You can start off with a form with a textbox that takes the SQL, a save button, an execute button (requires a little VBA), and a subform that displays the query results. Then you already have something that allows you to open it and start typing right away.

Answer 3

While waiting for better answer, I created an AutoHotKey solution – a keyboard shortcut (restricted only to Access) to perform the above steps in English language version of Microsoft Access 2016:
SendMode Input ; // Choose mode of sending keystrokes
#IfWinActive, ahk_class OMain ahk_exe MSACCESS.EXE ; // Only in scope of MS Access app
+^n:: ; // Routine for Ctrl+Shift+N starts
Send !cqd ; // Run "Query Design" menu command
WinWaitActive,Show Table ahk_class #32770 ; // Wait for "Show Table" window
Send {Esc}!jqwq{End}{Left}{Space} ; // Send the rest of the keys
Return
#IfWinActive ; // end of #IfWinActive section
After pressing Ctrl+Shift+N and waiting a bit*, a new query window is open in SQL view and I can start typing SQL.
*) Sometimes, MS Access can be really slow on keyboard shortcuts accessing the ribbon and on switching from query Design View to SQL View.