Joining tables in a query
You have two ways to create joins between tables in a query, automatically or manually. Any joins defined between two tables are represented as arrows connecting the key fields from the two tables.
Joining tables automatically
The Auto Join option on the Query menu enables you to join tables together automatically based upon the default criteria. You can choose to join tables in a query by any of these criteria.
- Foreign Keys
If there is a column that is defined as foreign key in one table and a primary key in another at the same time, these two tables will be joined together.
- Primary Keys with Same Names
If a column is defined as a primary key in one table and appears in another at the same time, these two tables will be joined together.
- Same Column Names
Tables with the same column name will be joined together.
Notes:
- When adding tables to a query, only when you have clicked the Done button in the Add Table dialog to finish the operation, can the tables be automatically joined together based on the auto join criteria. If you choose to exit the Add Table dialog by directly clicking the close button of the dialog, the auto join criteria will not be applied to the tables you add.
- If you have specified to use pre-joins in your queries, the Auto Join feature will not take effect.
Joining tables manually
To create manual joins, take one of the following two ways:
- Position the mouse pointer over the column that will be the source of the join, then click and hold the left mouse button while dragging the join away from the source column to the destination column.
- Select the columns from two tables while pressing CTRL, and then click Query > Join Columns.
The join relationship is then established between the tables. When more than one relationship is required between two tables, you can create multiple joins between them.
Editing a join
No matter a join is created automatically or manually, you can further edit it if required. To do this:
- Double-click the join button
in the join line to display the Join Options dialog. See the dialog.
- Check the Outer Join option to set the join an outer join, then specify the format of the join as required: SQL92 or Use'+'.
- Edit the join conditions in the Condition panel according to your requirements.
- When done, click OK to accept the changes.
See also Join Options dialog for details about options in the dialog.
Alerting when Cartesian product is used
A Cartesian product is used when tables link together with no specifications.
For example, Table A has three values: A, B and C. Table B has three values: 1, 2 and 3. Value A matches value 1, value B matches value 2, and so on. This is a specific match. However, a Cartesian product could have value A matching with 1,2 and 3, and value B matching with 1, 2 and 3, and so on. Depending on the data values, Cartesian products can produce a large and complicated dataset as unnecessary information may be contained.
You can specify whether to alert when this happens as follows:
- On the Query menu of the Query Editor, click Current Query Options.
- In the Query Option dialog, check or clear Warning when Cartesian Exists.