How does one find the minimum across columns in a ms access query?

Answer 1

There are multiple methods to do this. I discuss one of those methods to accomplish this task.

We need to create Union query in which we union multiple columns into one column. Then we need to create second Query (subquery) using the first Union Query in which the minimum value is found among all values in a column.

Let’s assume there is a Table1 as follows:

Table1
Field1	Field2	Field3
125	685	855
623	884	352
7425	454	351
156	866	6852

1) Creating a Union Query: Go to Create Tab>Query Design>Design Tab>Union. Next step is to write the following SQL statements and save as Query1:

Select field1 from Table1

Union

Select field2 from Table1

UNION

 Select field3 from Table1;

2) Creating second subquery: Go to Create Tab>Query Design>Add Query1 and find the minimum value by simple SQL statement below:

SELECT Min(Query1.field1) AS MinOffield1

FROM Query1;