Using a select statement as criteria for an update query - sql

Question

I'm trying to put together a query that updates a field within a table. I'm attempting to run a sub select query that gives me a number, and then use that number that resulted from the sub-query as part of the criteria for the update query.
USE EMMS
Update [2_import_VZW_tbl_SMTN]
set [2_import_VZW_tbl_SMTN].[Client_ID] =[tbl_Foundation_Account].[Client_ID]
where ([tbl_Foundation_Account].[Foundation_Account_ID] =
(Select TOP 1 tbl_Foundation_Account.Foundation_Account_ID
FROM tbl_Foundation_Account
INNER JOIN [2_Import_tbl_AWCDSU]
ON tbl_Foundation_Account.Foundation_Account_ID =
[2_Import_tbl_AWCDSU].[ECPD Profile ID]))
My issue is I keep receiving this error
The multi-part identifier
tbl_Foundation_Account.Foundation_Account_ID" could not be bound.
Am I using the sub-query incorrectly? When I've received this error before, it's been because of some ambiguity in the table or field names, but this time I've checked for all that and it should be fine. Can anyone explain what SQL sin I have committed?

Answer 1

On the error
The multi-part identifier
tbl_Foundation_Account.Foundation_Account_ID" could not be bound.
This is because the table column [tbl_Foundation_Account].[Client_ID] does not exists in the scope of outer UPDATEquery .
The only table the outer query has an inkling about is [2_import_VZW_tbl_SMTN] and it does not have a column like [tbl_Foundation_Account].[Client_ID].
It is akin to writing a column name with a typo or like you said
When I've received this error before, it's been because of some
ambiguity in the table or field names
Please try a query like below.
Note that I am using Inner query syntax and ensuring that a single value is returned by using
select top 1 [Client_ID]
in the inner query. rest of the query syntax is same.
USE EMMS
Update [2_import_VZW_tbl_SMTN]
set [2_import_VZW_tbl_SMTN].[Client_ID] =
(
select top 1 [Client_ID]
from [tbl_Foundation_Account]
where [Foundation_Account_ID] =
(
Select TOP 1 a.Foundation_Account_ID
FROM tbl_Foundation_Account a
INNER JOIN [2_Import_tbl_AWCDSU] b
ON a.Foundation_Account_ID = b.[ECPD Profile ID]
)
)

Answer 2

Another poster submitted this answer earlier, but then deleted it. I was able to try it before they deleted it and it works exactly how I needed it to work. I will use this as the right answer unless someone else can tell me why this is a bad Idea.
USE EMMS
Update [2_import_VZW_tbl_SMTN]
set [2_import_VZW_tbl_SMTN].[Client_ID] = [tbl_Foundation_Account].[Client_ID]
from [tbl_Foundation_Account]
where ([tbl_Foundation_Account].[Foundation_Account_ID] =
(Select TOP 1 tbl_Foundation_Account.Foundation_Account_ID
FROM tbl_Foundation_Account
INNER JOIN [2_Import_tbl_AWCDSU]
ON tbl_Foundation_Account.Foundation_Account_ID = [2_Import_tbl_AWCDSU].[ECPD Profile ID]))