Microsoft Access 2003 is the most popular database in the world. You can think of a database as a box full of rolodexes. Each rolodex organizes a particular set of records, like suppliers, customers, or employees.
The advantages of using database software instead of paper rolodexes is that you can easily and quickly perform actions like sorting all your suppliers by zip code or printing out just those customers that have less than $100 in sales.
In this Access training course you will learn general database concepts and the main features of Microsoft Access: tables, fields, forms, queries, and reports.
First, we'll examine the Access user interface: the menus, windows, and objects you'll see when you first launch Access.
- Starting Microsoft Access
- Opening Existing Databases
- Using Personalized Menus
- Using Task Panes
- Displaying Object Lists
- Opening a Table
- Working with Toolbars
- Using Access Help
- Exiting Access
Next, the Access training class will discuss the details of designing a database. In this part of the training, you will learn about:
- Understanding a Relational Database
- Creating a Database
- Creating a Table
- Understanding Field Data Types
- Defining Fields in Design View
- Setting a Primary Key
- Saving the Table
- Entering Data into a Table
- Previewing and Printing a Table
- Using the Table Wizard
When you create a new database, you organize data into tables. You might have a table for Customers, another for Suppliers, and yet another for Orders. The training class will show you the basics of:
- Moving within a Table
- Selecting Records, Fields, and Cells
- Resizing Columns and Rows
- Hiding Columns
- Freezing Columns
- Moving Columns
- Saving the Table Layout
- Closing an Object Window
When working with tables, you'll find that there are a multitude of tasks that will enhance the data and the usefulness of the database. In this Access training class you'll learn about:
- Modifying Tables
- Adding a Picture or Object to a Table
- Inserting a Hyperlink into a Table
- Setting Field Properties
- Creating Input Masks
- Importing Data
- Linking Files
- Exporting Data
- Working with Office Links
Access allows you to specify restrictions for particular fields, and even for displaying related items in different tables: these are known as "queries". This training class will discuss the following aspects of queries:
- Creating Relationships
- Understanding Queries
- Designing a Select Query
- Adding Fields to a Query
- Working with Recordsets
- Adding a Table to an Existing Query
- Modifying Field Order
- Sorting Records in a Query
- Specifying Criteria in a Query
- Creating Calculated Fields
- Renaming Calculated Fields
- Calculating Grouped Records
Since changes to table data are typically done one record at a time, operators and data entry personnel rely on "forms" to elegantly display each record. This training class will show you how to design and implement these forms.
- Viewing the Report or Form Design
- Creating a Report or Form using the Wizard
- Creating a Report or Form in Design View
- Placing Fields in a Report or Form
- Saving and Closing a Report or Form
- Working with Print Preview
- Moving Fields
- Resizing Fields
- Printing a Report
- Creating a Report Snapshot
Like working with tables, you'll find that there are a number of features provided within Access for enhancing reports and forms. For instance, you'll learn about:
- Using the Formatting Toolbar
- Using the Toolbox
- Creating a Calculated Control
- Aligning Controls
- Sorting and Grouping in a Report
- Calculating Grouped Records
- Adding Page Numbers, Date and Time
- Using AutoFormat
Prerequisites for Access 2003 training:
- Good understanding of Windows file management, and the concepts of right-clicking and selecting the properties of an object
Access Classes offered at four locations::
