Supported Query Types (Visual Database Tools)
Applies to: 
SQL Server
You can create the following types of queries in the Diagram and Criteria panes (the graphical panes) of the Query and View Designer:
Select query Retrieves data from one or more tables or views. This type of query creates a SQL SELECT statement.
Insert Results Creates new rows by copying existing rows from one table into another, or into the same table as new rows. This type of query creates a SQL INSERT INTO...SELECT statement.
Insert Values Creates a new row and inserts values into specified columns. This type of query creates a SQL INSERT INTO...VALUES statement.
Update query Changes the values of individual columns in one or more existing rows in a table. This type of query creates a SQL UPDATE...SET statement.
Delete query Removes one or more rows from a table. This type of query creates a SQL DELETE statement.
Note
A Delete query removes entire rows from the table. If you want to delete values from individual data columns, use an Update query.
Make Table query Creates a new table and creates rows in it by copying the results of a query into it. This type of query creates a SQL SELECT...INTO statement.
In addition to the queries you can create using the graphical panes, you can enter any SQL statement into the SQL pane, such as Union queries.
When you create queries using SQL statements that cannot be represented in the graphical panes, the Query and View Designer dims those panes to indicate that they do not reflect the query you are creating. However, the dimmed panes are still active and, in many cases, you can make changes to the query in those panes. If the changes you make result in a query that can be represented in the graphical panes, those panes are no longer dimmed.