Access, like many RDBMS uses Structured Query Language (SQL) to define queries. Novice developers or casual users may have never seen a single SQL keyword when building queries. This is possible thanks to Access' excellent graphical query builder. However, there are times when writing SQL may be desirable or in some cases, required.

SQL can be split into three broad classes: Data Manipulation Language (DML), which typically selects and/or makes updates to the data, Data Definition Language (DDL), which creates or alters database objects such as tables and indexes, and for Access databases using MDB format, there is also support for managing User Level Security via SQL. This last subset is classified as Data Control Language (DCL). Note that this is not available in an ACCDB format.

• Data Manipulation Language
  • SELECT
    • SELECT INTO
  • INSERT INTO
  • UPDATE
  • DELETE

• Data Definition Language
  • CREATE object
    • CREATE TABLE
    • CREATE INDEX
    • CREATE PROCEDURE
    • CREATE VIEW
  • ALTER object
    • ALTER TABLE
    • ALTER INDEX
    • ALTER PROCEDURE
    • ALTER VIEW
  • DROP object

• Data Control Language
  • CREATE USER
  • CREATE GROUP
  • ALTER DATABASE
  • ALTER USER
  • ADD USER
  • DROP USER
  • DROP GROUP
  • GRANT
  • REVOKE
  • WITH OWNEROPTION