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As * is a wildcard character that matches any string, it gives me the first row, not the first row containing an asterisks.

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Does "[*]" work? – Daniel Beck♦ Jan 18 '12 at 12:34
No, unfortunately not – Muleskinner Jan 18 '12 at 12:36

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Enclosing the asterisk in your search string in square brackets, i.e. "[*]", is in fact the correct answer. This is according to Microsoft documentation. And here's the proof:

enter image description here

Works like a charm! Perhaps what you are missing is the "Any Part of Field" setting?

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Thanks, but not working, heres the proof: imgur.com/ysAC0. Im using Access 2007 SP2. H – Muleskinner Jan 19 '12 at 11:10
Hey, Muleskinner! YES, it DOES work - when you set the "Match" to "Any Part of Field" like I said specifically in my answer. Setting Match to "Whole Field" as you show in your screen grab will only find a record where there is an asterisk AND NOTHING ELSE in the field. Please accept my answer as correct since the real issue is the "Match" setting which I pointed out. Thanks! – Dave Becker Jan 19 '12 at 14:28
Sorry, in my screenshot I made a mistake with the match settings. But I did try your suggestion and have to say that you are wrong - it might work for you and others, but it does not work for me, see imgur.com/Llyqz. I would really like to accept your answer, but how can I if it does not answer my question? – Muleskinner Jan 19 '12 at 20:53
I hear you that it does not work for you - but that doesn't make me "wrong". You said "it might work for you and others". I'm saying as nicely as I can that it DOES work for me and I'm sure for most/many/all others. Here's the video on YouTube: youtu.be/a-NHMQcz-bo So the question is not "How do I..." (which I answered correctly!) but "Why doesn't this work for me?" Good luck finding the answer... – Dave Becker Jan 20 '12 at 0:31
thanks for trying to help – Muleskinner Jan 21 '12 at 21:15

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