This course introduces you to Access, Microsoft's powerful
relational database tool for personal computers. Access is
perhaps the most commonly used database in the business world.
The ability to efficiently use databases has almost become a
mandatory skill for anyone working in a modern business
environment. This course will provide you with the capability and
confidence to use Access professionally.
We will work with you and show you how to use the tool to build a
simple database application containing several tables. We will
demonstrate the use of forms as an aid to put data in and queries to get data out. We will emphasize that
Access is a relational database and illustrate how
relationships are created between one table and
another. This greatly increases the efficiency of database
storage and information retrieval.
Click here to play a sample instructional movie from
the course.
Module
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Description
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The Database Process
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When should you use Access? When not to use it!
Thinking about your database requirements. The database
features of Excel vs. those of Access. Getting Access
to do some work for you by using some databases that
others have developed. Copying sample databases to your
hard disk. Starting Access and using a previously built
database - the North Wind Traders database. Run some
forms from the North Wind database.
Opening a Contact Management database - one with a
menu system. Entering information into an Access
database and using data controls at the bottom of a
form. Making a more professional contact management
database, one which is easy for inexperienced users to
use.
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Database Components
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Some brief comments of the need to plan database
applications before you begin. A look at the structure
and organization of a database that you will build in
this course - a student record database. Data flow in
Access applications. Exploring the database window and
the 'user interface' using the database application
which will be developed in this course. The main parts
of an Access database. Selecting and using various
Access objects. Moving to 'Design View'. Editing
information in a form.
A brief overview of the function and operation of the
various objects in an Access database - Tables,
Queries, Forms and Reports. Suggested file naming
conventions in Access - Leszynski Naming Convention -
tbl, frm, rpt, qry. Altering a form in Design
View changing the size of a field on a form.
Creating a new database 'from scratch'. Using an
in-built wizard to create an Event Management database.
Using an online Wizard. Examining a customized
Contact Management database for a software company with
a group of customers world wide - PetroSys.MDB.
Some database theory. A discussion of some database
concepts and terminology.
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Preliminaries
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Some steps to take before you start using Access.
Configuring Access for ease of use. Inter alia,
setting up Access to open files in a particular folder.
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Access Tables
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Creating a brand new table in Access with a number of
fields. Deciding on the type of data to be placed in a
field. Field sizes. The value of including a meaningful
description when defining fields. Inserting,
deleting and modifying fields in a table. Entering data
directly into a table.
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Access Forms
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A form can be used as a navigational device. Examining
a complex form and its relationship to its table.
Creating a new form using the form wizard. Alternative
methods of creating forms - design view, wizards, Pivot
Forms, AutoForm and Chart wizard.
Using a form. The importance of data controls. Entering
data via a form. Searching through a database using a
form - the binocular tool. Setting search criteria. The
importance of the 'home' field when searching a
database using a form. The value of special keys -
PgUp, PgDn etc. Editing forms - using into Design View -
moving controls, placing labels on a form, altering the
size of labels, placing labels in the header and
footer. Using cut, copy paste and undo to speed data
entry. Linking database objects to form items. The
importance of the toolbox.
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Access Queries
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Running queries in a sophisticated database,
creating new queries, saving and altering
queries. Creating a query which uses
a parameter. Example: - one query can be used to select
all students each of the states of Australia, simply by
typing the abbreviation for the state name.
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Access Reports
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Running existing reports, creating a new report using
a wizard, basing the report on an existing query.
Setting the sort order in a report. Altering the layout
of a report in design view.
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Access Relationships
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Explaining the advantages of using relational
databases. Setting up database keys. Creating two new
tables and building relationships between them. Creating
forms and queries that depend on relationships. Referential integrity.
Designing and building multi-table queries, reports and forms. Adjusting the sort order in a
report. Creating combo boxes. A detailed review of
database planning.
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Future directions - where to from here?
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Future directions for your Access programming.
Compiling Access databases, creating documentation,
testing and validation, importing data from mainframe
applications, exporting data to other applications.
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This course requires an enrolment key