Choose Command in Microsoft Access

The choose command is similar to the Decode function in Oracle. Assume the same setup as the Dynamic Order By Clause example but add a 3rd option for sorting by Address.

See below how the choose function expands your capabilities.

Select M_Employees.Name, M_Employees.Emp_Number,
M_Employees.Address
From M_Employees
Order by
Choose(Val(Forms!F_Emp!Sort_Option),M_Employees.Emp_Name,
M_Employees.Emp_Number, M_Employees.Address);

Note: Entry in Forms!F_Emp!Sort_Option must be an integer and it is best to force it to a number with the Val() function. You can have up to 29 options and you can use the Choose Function in each part of the query except the From clause.

New! Download Access SQL Choose Command Demonstration Database.

The choose function can be used in each part of a query, except possible the From clause.

2nd Choose Example

My boss wants an employee salary report and on odd days of the month he wants the data to show by last name then first name. On the even days of the month he wants the data the other way, first name followed by last name.

Just in case you ever have a boss like that - here is the solution:

Create a parameter form for the report. Here we have created Form1. Then create the SQL query text using the choose function as shown:

select Choose statement

Below you'll see that when we change the choice field to 2 the last name appears first followed by the first name:

Choose Command, Decode Command

The slight trick to this solution is that we use two Choose function statements in each query. The first choose is used for the Name1 field and the second choose is used for the Name2 field.

Additional Choose Command Information:

DoCmd OpenReport in Microsoft Access

crit = "Flight_ID" & Choose(get_global("flight_type"), ">-1", "=0", "<>0") output: On Error GoTo no_data Select Case Me.Select_Report Case 1 DoCmd. ...
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