Why does Microsoft Access have a SQL view?

Answer 1

The SQL view option on an Access query is extremely powerful! Most beginning users in Access prefer to use the query design view - but some users who are new to Access already have solid SQL language skills, and those users can be more comfortable writing out the SQL they want instead of using the query design view! Alternating between the design view and SQL View offers a great way to learn SQL, and opens the door to more sophisticated solutions in database design than what is possible using only the query design view.

For example, queries are the data source for reports. Rather than relying on static saved queries for reports, you can dynamically change the SQL used in those queries. Imagine a report console where the user selects different report filters before they click the print button: combining SQL skills with VBA eliminates the needs to create separate reports and separate queries for the different output options!

Answer 2

If you know how to write structured query language (SQL) then you can write the SQL directly instead of using the query design. Conversely, if you use the query designer, you can inspect the resulting SQL as a learning exercise.