What does 'aggregation' refer to in Access?

Aggregation in Access refers to the process of summarizing data, which involves using functions such as COUNT, SUM, AVG, MIN, and MAX to condense multiple values into a single summary value. This is particularly useful when analyzing data, as it allows users to draw insights, observe patterns, and make informed decisions based on consolidated information.

For instance, if a database contains sales data for various products over a year, using aggregation functions lets you easily calculate the total sales for each product (SUM) or the number of sales transactions (COUNT). This helps in reporting and data analysis by providing a clearer overview of trends and performance metrics, rather than wading through extensive records.

This concept is distinct from sorting, filtering, or creating new tables. Sorting pertains to arranging data in a predetermined sequence, filtering involves restricting data to meet certain conditions, and creating new tables focuses on data organization rather than summarization. Thus, aggregation is specifically about summarization through mathematical functions, making it the correct explanation for this question.