Transcript 3 Access Overview

Overview of Microsoft Access
Contents of an Access file
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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
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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
=> Database Properties and select the
Contents tab:
To create a new database
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You can do a File=>New 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:
You can create
a new folder by
clicking on this
icon.