ACC2000: Error When Running Crosstab Query with a Parameter

If you create a crosstab query that uses an implicit parameter [XXX] or a form reference in a WHERE clause (criteria), you may receive the following error message:

A crosstab query dynamically generates column names. Therefore, Microsoft Access cannot tell whether [XXX] or a form reference is referring to a parameter or to a column name until after the query is bound.

When you build a graph, Microsoft Access uses a crosstab to build the data to graph. If the query is a parameter query, you have to define the parameters explicitly, as you would have to for a typical crosstab query.

To avoid this error, define [XXX] as an explicit parameter by adding it to the Query Parameters dialog box. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Start Microsoft Access.
2. In the Database window, click Queries under Objects.
3. Open the query in Design view.
4. To explicitly define the parameters, click Parameters on the Query menu.
5. Type the name of the parameter or the form reference under Parameter in the Query Parameters dialog box, and then set the appropriate data type.
6. Close the Query Parameters dialog box.The query now works as expected.

Steps to Reproduce the Behavior

1. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.
2. Create a new crosstab query that is based on the Order Details table.
3. Drag the UnitPrice, Discount, and OrderID fields to the query design grid, and then set the values in the query design grid as follows:

      Crosstab Query: Query1
      ---------------------------------
      Field: UnitPrice
         Total: Group By
         Crosstab: Row Heading
         Criteria: > [Enter an Amount:]
      Field: Discount
         Total: Group By
         Crosstab: Column Heading
      Field: OrderID
         Total: Count
         Crosstab: Value
   					

4. Run the query. Note that you receive the error message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.
5. Click OK to return to query Design view, and then click Parameters on the Query menu.
6. Enter the following under Parameters:

      [Enter an Amount:]
   					

7. Select Currency as the data type, and then click OK.
8. Run the query, and type any amount (for example, type 2). Note that the query runs.

For additional information about crosstab queries, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about parameter queries, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type troubleshoot parameter queries in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.