A query component is a particular arrangement that you apply to a table. The query components are of the following type:
sort order
column view
filter
They are always attached to a table and are listed beneath each table in Database Manager. Using the query toolbar, you can always choose combinations of query components wherever you make use of the table - this could be in a form or report, or in Write and Spreadsheet.
Relations can have associated query components in the same way.
Imagine a Wineshop database that contains several tables. Each table can have several named entries underneath - the query components. These are grouped according to whether they are Column Views, Sort Orders or Filters. For example, an Employee table might show a Column View - "Name & Address", two Sort Orders - "By Age" and "By Name", and a Filter - "UK Employees". These are all different ways of viewing the data contained in the Employee table.
You can use combinations of these query components to view only certain columns from selected records of a table, and in a particular order. For example, you can filter the Employee table using "UK Employees", viewing only the columns defined by "Name & Address", in an order determined by "By Name". You can also save combinations of query components as a named Query, which can then be applied whenever you like (see Queries).
See the following sections:
Rearranging columns using a columns selection