Access 2007 Shortcut Menu from Prior Version

[AG]

In versions of Access prior to 2007 the standard shortcut menu for
datasheets, etc. contained a 'Filter For:' option where one could enter a
filter for a field. The 'filter' could be anything that one could use in a
query, including multiple values, and/or, etc. E.G. A* or B* or C* or null,
etc.

This has been removed in 2007 and replaced with other options, but those
options don't allow multiple values, and/or, etc.

I have custom shortcut menus created in earlier versions, containing the
'Filter For:' command, that I have imported into a 2007 application.
However, that command does not show, even though all others commands do
show.

I have found a few articles on creating custom shortcut menus, but none seem
to address this issue.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to enable or simulate this very
useful feature?

 

[Charles Wang [MSFT]]

Hi AG,
I do not see the "Filter for:" option in either Access 2003 or 2007, but
there are some buttons for filter. I guess you refer to advanced filter
function. The advanced filter is still existed in Access 2007. But the
place is different from the original since 2007 uses ribbon UI. In Access
2007, when you open the table in datasheet view, you can switch the tab to
Home, then you can find "Advanced" in the "Sort & Filter" panel, click it
and click "Advanced Filter/Sort...". , then you can specify criterias for
the filter. After that, right click any place of the filter panel, click
"Save as Query" to save it to a query and click "Apply Filter/Sort" to
apply the filter.

Besides, the datasheet view in Access 2007 also provides very convenient
way of directly filtering data on columns. You can click the down arrow
button on a column header and perform easy filtering according to the
listed values.

If what you said was different from mine, please tell me the steps how I
can find the "filter for" function that you mentioned in Access 2003.

Thanks.

Best regards,
Charles Wang

 

[AG]

Charles,

You have completely missed the issue.

I am referring to a shortcut menu (as in right click on any datasheet), NOT
the ribbon (2007) or menu/toolbar (2003).
In 2003 (or earlier), open ANY form (datasheet view, with default shortcut
menu), ANY select query or ANY table.
RIGHT CLICK over any field (NOT column head) and a shortcut menu appears.
One of the items is 'Filter For:' with a textbox next to it.
In that textbox one can enter criteria to filter that field on.
The criteria can be any valid 'where' clause using all of the standard
operators, including null, not null, and, or, etc.; including wildcards.

If I create a custom shortcut menu in 2003 containing the 'Filter For:'
item, and import that menu into an Access 2007 application, all other items
appear in 2007, EXCEPT the 'Filter For:'.

In 2007, the filter options in the down arrow button on the column header,
do not allow the use of the above operators OR wildcards.

The 'Advanced Filter/Sort' that you mention, Filter by Form, etc., is too
confusing for many users and is not as convenient as a simple right click
'Filter For:'.

 

[Charles Wang [MSFT]]

AG,
Thank you for clarification.

Could you please send me (changliw_at_microsoft_dot_com) your a sample
access database file (both versions of 2003 and 2007) so that I can easily
reproduce your issue?

Best regards,
Charles Wang

 

[AG]

Sent.

 

[Charles Wang [MSFT]]

Hi AG,
I have got confirmed that the "Filter For" function has been replaced by
"Text Filter", "Number Filter" and "Date Filter" in Access 2007. On a
datasheet view, you can directly click a field and try using those filters.
They are also quite convenient since they detailized the "Filter For" into
specific criterials "Equal...", "Does not equal...", "Begin with...",
"Contains..." etc. This design is to facilitate the filter function in a
more understandable manner.

For a form view, you can first select a field, then click the big Filter
button, in the shortcut menu, you can see the corresponding filter.

Best regards,
Charles Wang

 

[AG]

Charles,

You are still missing the point.
The new filter options are nice, BUT they do not allow the use of the
standard
operators, including null, not null, and, or, etc.; including wildcards.

The main thing being the OR operator and wildcards.

In the sample that I sent you, how could one filter for items with a
description containing 'sweet' OR 'fruit'?

 

[Charles Wang [MSFT]]

AG,
I think I understand your question. In my last response, I focused on if
the filter for input function existed in Access 2007. Regarding your
concerns on filtering with wildcards and logical operators, the replaced
filters do not provide similar functions. Currently the workaround is to
use Advanced filter.

If you think that this feature is very useful, please submit your feedback
at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/suggestions.aspx?sitename=CL100571081033&t
ype=0 so that our product team can hear your voice and may re-add this
feature in future.

Thanks.

Best regards,
Charles Wang

 

[AG]

Charles,

Advanced filter is not practical for many users.
Any ideas on how I can implement something similar to the missing feature
myself?

 

[Charles Wang [MSFT]]

You need to create custom shortcut menus. Here is an article for your
reference:
Create custom menus and shortcut menus by using macros
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/HA102825091033.aspx

If you have further development related questions, please have a new post
at microsoft.public.office.developer.officedev.

Thank you!

Best regards,
Charles Wang

 

[AG]

Thanks