Overview of Microsoft Access

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Overview of Microsoft Access
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Contents of an Access file

• Tables
• Forms
• Queries
• Reports
• Pages
• Macros
• Modules

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• Every Access database must have one or more
  tables, since these are the fundamental
  components of any relational database.
• Forms provide a convenient and more user-friendly
  way to enter and display the data in tables.

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• Queries provide ways to retrieve information from
  the database. (There are other types of queries
  that are used to systematically modify portions
  of the database.)
• A report is used to present data retrieved by a
  query in attractive fashion on the printed page.

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• A page is an HTML document that is designed to be
  posted to a Web server.
• A macro is a user-created sequence of commands
  designed to automate certain repetitive tasks.
• A module consists of one or more VBA programs
  designed to provide customized features.

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• For this course we focus solely on Access
• Tables
• Forms
• Queries
• Reports

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• If we open an existing Access database (.mdb
  file), we typically get the following Database
  Window.
• In this window there are buttons allowing us to
  select whether we want to work with the tables,
  queries, forms, etc. in that database.

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• To see a list of all the objects (tables,
  queries, etc.) in the database, do File gt
  Database Properties and select the Contents tab

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To create a new database

• You can do a FilegtNew Database (or click the
  New icon on the toolbar) and
• either choose the General tab and the Project
  (New Database) icon

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• Or choose the Database tab and have the system
  use one of its already designed database schemas
• (Remember that a database schema just means a
  database design, i.e., a database without any
  actual records in it.)

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• If one of these is close to matching what you
  need, it might be simpler to tailor it to your
  specific application.
• Otherwise, choose Blank Database or if you
  already have one, choose it from the set
  presented to you

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• If you choose to create a new database, the
  following window will pop up so that you can name
  your new database

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You can create a new folder by clicking on this
icon.