UK Postcodes In The Query Design Grid.

Hi everyone;

I am using Access 2003 with Windows XP Pro. I have a problem with using a query and the dreaded UK Postcodes!

I have a Client table that contains a field “Client Postcode 1”, in which is entered the first part of the UK postcode i.e. AB11, WC1A, E1, EC2V, etc.

In a Candidate table here are many text fields where we enter which postcode a Candidate wants to work in, i.e. TN, CV4, EC, W, etc.

We have a separate Candidate Search form where we select a particular client (Combo box from the Client table) which then displays the Client’s Postcode 1 data i.e. the first part of the UK postcode before the space.

We have a select query that then tries to match the Client Postcode 1 with the postcode that the Candidate wants to work in from the Candidate’s table.

In this query design grid I have successfully created criteria that will match the Client Postcode 1 field to the Candidate’s postcode field – very straightforward. This, for example, will match a Client with a TN39 postcode with a Candidate who wants to work in the TN39 postcode.

In the same query design grid I have also been able to successfully match the Client Postcode 1 field to a Candidate’s Postcode field using just the first 2 letters (using Left). This matches a Candidate who wants to work anywhere in the TN postcode area (TN1, TN2 etc.) with a Client whose postcode starts with TN

However, what is stumping me is where a Client’s Post code has only 1 letter followed by numbers (E1, B2 etc) in the first part of their postcode without returning EX, BL etc. I would like the accumulated wisdom on this forum to point me in the right direction to design criteria to input into the query design grid that will match ONLY the first letter of the postcode IF the second character is a number.

Regards to all - and what an excellent site!