Why Does My Access SQL Query with Multiple INNER JOINs Produce a 'Syntax Error (missing Operator)'?

Troubleshooting Access SQL Syntax Errors in Multiple INNER JOIN Queries

Encountering the "Syntax Error (missing Operator) in query expression" in Microsoft Access often stems from incorrectly formatted multiple INNER JOIN statements. This error typically arises when joining more than two tables without proper nesting.

The following example illustrates a common scenario leading to this error:

SELECT tbl_employee.emp_ID, tbl_employee.emp_name, ...  -- other fields
FROM  tbl_employee
INNER JOIN tbl_netpay ON tbl_employee.emp_id = tbl_netpay.emp_id
INNER JOIN tbl_gross ON tbl_employee.emp_id = tbl_gross.emp_ID
INNER JOIN tbl_tax ON tbl_employee.emp_id = tbl_tax.emp_ID;

Access's SQL parser may misinterpret this structure. The solution involves grouping the joins using parentheses to create a nested query, enforcing the correct order of operations:

SELECT tbl_employee.emp_ID, tbl_employee.emp_name, ...  -- other fields
FROM
    ((tbl_employee
    INNER JOIN tbl_netpay ON tbl_employee.emp_id = tbl_netpay.emp_id)
    INNER JOIN tbl_gross ON tbl_employee.emp_id = tbl_gross.emp_ID)
    INNER JOIN tbl_tax ON tbl_employee.emp_id = tbl_tax.emp_ID;

By enclosing the first two INNER JOINs within parentheses, we create a subquery that's then joined with tbl_tax. This clarifies the join sequence for Access.

Alternative: Using the Access Query Designer

For simpler queries, consider leveraging the Access query designer's visual interface. The designer automatically handles the parenthesis and join order, reducing the risk of syntax errors. This method is particularly helpful for beginners or when dealing with numerous joins.

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