SQL Query Return One Variable

Hi,

I'm familiar with writing two types of queries. One, is where I return the results of a table into a record set. The second is where I call a stored procedure, and return parameters that I pass to it.

If I don't want to create a Stored Procedure, but I only have one value I want returned, what is the best way of doing this?

Edit: Note that I want the result to be handled in VBA directly without touching a worksheet.

Edit: I ended up just using a recordset and looping through it.