In Access, the term expression is synonymous with formula. An expression consists of a number of possible elements that are used alone or in combination to produce a result. The possible elements include the following:

• Identifiers (the names of fields, controls, or properties)
• Operators such as + (plus) or - (minus)
• Functions
• Constants
• Values

You use an expression to perform a calculation, retrieve the value of a control, supply criteria to a query, define rules, create calculated controls and calculated fields, and define a group level for a report.

For more information about expressions

• See the article Create an expression to learn how and where to use expressions.
• See the article Examples of expressions for examples of various types of expressions.