i have a field in a query that has numbers and text (ie 00129-BGT-456, BGT-43997-029)and i would like to query all records with the text BGT in them. But this input, BGT, will be keyed in a form and the query gets the criteria from there. Does anyone know how to do this?
When i key Like "*BGT*" in the criteria of my field, i am able to get all the data with BGT in them but i just can't seem to get it to work with the form.
thank you in advance!

In the Query that supplies the form, with an unbound textbox eg txtSearchBox, set the criteria for the field you want to query and in the criteria just put like "*" & Forms![NameofForm]![txtSearchBox] & "*". It will then replace Forms![NameofForm]![txtSearchBox] with whatever you type eg BGT.

Set the After_Update of the search box to me.requery to refresh the form data.

HTH

Thank you so much!
it works really well now! http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/ubb/smile.gif