These and other objects, which will be apparent as the invention is more fully described, are provided by a method and system for constructing queries which make changes to an entire set of data stored in a database. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user selects one or more tables from which to construct a query. Next, the system stores a list box for each selected table. Each list box is displayed on a user interface including a query window which includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The user selects one or more columns from the list boxes and drags the selected columns into a QBE grid located in the lower portion of the query window. The QBE grid provides a graphical representation of the query requested by the user. When the user invokes the query, the system determines the query type and performs appropriate action on the selected column from the selected tables.