almost the same name

[yoyo]

Hello
I have four tables with the contractor field. These tables were
created over the years by different people and the spelling is
different in each table for the contractor field. I would to be able
to use these four tables in queries but the different spelling of the
contractors is hindering me. Is there a way around this? Maybe a
bridge table? TIA

[WindAndWaves]

this is what I would do:
1. make a table of all contractors names from all four tables, only adding
unique names (see field settings). call this table Contractors
2. add a field with a long integer code in it
3. go through the list and add a unique number for each contractor (e.g.
several similar names may have the same number)
4. add a similar number field (long integer) to all four tables
5. place the number of the corresponding contractor name for each record in
the new field
6. delete all the 'extra' names in the Contractors table
7. make the number the unique ID and link it to the four other tables.
8. Delete the contractor name from the four tables

If you have any questions then please don't hesitate to ask.I can explain
all steps in more detail.
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[Alan Webb]

Yoyo,
You can use SQL's ability to give tables aliases to rename each table in
your query to whatever you need it to be. I'd also look at putting together
a union query to present a single set of unique rows for all four tables,
This way you have the data from all four under one view name.

"yoyo" <cr*****@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:dc**************************@posting.google.c om...

Hello
I have four tables with the contractor field. These tables were
created over the years by different people and the spelling is
different in each table for the contractor field. I would to be able
to use these four tables in queries but the different spelling of the
contractors is hindering me. Is there a way around this? Maybe a
bridge table? TIA