title: what is the alternative to NVL function in MS Access 2007
body: <p>I wrote an SQL query in MS Access</p>
  
  <pre><code>select NVL(count(re.rule_status),0) from validation_result re, validation_rules ru where re.cycle_nbr="+cycle_nbr+" and re.rule_response=ru.rule_desc and re.rule_status='FAIL' and ru.rule_category='NAMING_CONVENTION' group by re.rule_status"
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>But the output is <code>Null</code>. I want to convert it to <code>Zero</code>. If I use <code>NVL</code> function then MS Access does not accept it. I tried <code>NZ</code> function also but that also gives the same output, i.e NULL instead of Zero.</p>