Query prompts when too many fields or too much data is selected

Whilst trying to create a query for a backup of all our data, the end product was 0 record. The problem was too many fields were selected and the system froze, which I had to find out through your support team.

Surely you could put in place a prompt or error message to say this, including as much information as possible and help your customers navigate how much data each report can hold?