MS Access StrComp() Function

The StrComp() function in MS Access compares two strings and returns a numerical value indicating their relationship. This is useful for sorting, conditional logic, or any situation where you need a programmatic way to compare strings.

StrComp(): Definition and Usage

StrComp() provides a more structured way to compare strings than using operators like = or <>. It returns an integer indicating whether the strings are equal, or which string comes earlier in lexicographical (alphabetical) order. You can also control the type of comparison (binary, text, or database-specific).

Return Values

• 0: The strings are equal.
• -1: The first string is less than the second (comes earlier alphabetically).
• 1: The first string is greater than the second (comes later alphabetically).
• Null: Either or both input strings are Null.

Syntax

StrComp(string1, string2, compare)
      

Parameter Values

Examples

Comparing Identical Strings

Comparing two strings that are exactly the same.

SELECT StrComp("SQL Tutorial", "SQL Tutorial") AS CompString;
      

0
      

Comparing Different Strings

Comparing a shorter string to a longer string.

SELECT StrComp("SQL Tutorial", "SQL") AS CompString;
      

1
      

Comparing Strings in Reverse Order

The reverse comparison.

SELECT StrComp("SQL", "SQL Tutorial") AS CompString;
      

-1