Access 2003 : All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies®

by Simpson, Alan; Young, Margaret Levine; Barrows, Alison

• ISBN13: 9780764539886
• ISBN10: 0764539884
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-10-10
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Many people call our current era "The Age of Information." True, the body of information is increasing at an unprecedented pace, and information is more accessible than ever. But information doesn't mean diddly-squat if you don't know how to use it. Access 2003 All-In-One Desk Reference for Dummies is your one-stop guide to building databases and managing information with Access 2003, covering the basics like tables, queries, forms, and reports and more advanced functions such as using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) and writing code. If you want, you can go all the way to geekdom, or you can simply find out how to make the most of your data to better manage your business by: Creating and modifying tables and entering and editing data Sorting, finding, and filtering data Creating queries, including update queries, action queries, and the Query Wizards Building forms with AutoForm and Wizards Creating charts and graphs from your data Maintaining, sharing, and securing your Access database Letting Access do the math, whether it's calculating simple cost per unit or performing complex financial functionsMicrosoft Office Access 2003 All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies was written by three computer gurus: Alan Simpson, author of over 80 computer books; Margaret Levine Young, co-author of several dozen computer books, including The Internet for Dummies; and Alison Barrows, book author and writer and editor of technical documentation and training material. To give you hands-on experience and demonstrate practical applications of database management, there is a Web site that complements the book and features a fully functioning mail order management database used in examples throughout the book. You can download it and follow along as you explore: Working with external data sources such as Microsoft SQL Server Writing and debugging code Using HTML, JavaScript, Jscript, VB Script, and Java to facilitate the exchange of information on the Internet among different programs on disparate platforms Using data access pages (DAP) to share information on your intranetWith Access 2003 All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies, you'll discover how to put information to work for you.

Author Biography

<b>Alan Simpson</b> is the author of over 80 computer books on all sorts of topics: Windows, databases, Web site design and development, programming, and network administration. His books are published throughout the world in over a dozen languages and have millions of copies. When not building computers or writing books about them, Alan eats or sleeps. He doesn&#8217;t have a fancy job title, because he&#8217;s never had a real job, and still doesn&#8217;t know how to tie a tie. <p> <b>Margaret Levine Young</b> has co-authored several dozen computer books about the Internet, UNIX, WordPerfect, Access, and (stab from the past) PC-File and Javelin, including <i>The Internet For Dummies</i> (published by Wiley Publishing, Inc.) and <i>Windows XP Home Edition: The Complete Reference</i> (published by Osborne/McGraw-Hill). She met her future husband Jordan in the R.E.S.I.S.T.O.R.S., a high-school computer club before there were high school computer clubs. Her other passions are her children, music, Unitarian Universalism (www.uua.org), reading, and anything to do with cooking or eating. <p> <b>Alison Barrows</b> has authored or co-authored books on Windows, the Internet, Microsoft Access, WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3, and other topics. In addition to writing books, Alison writes and edits technical documentation and training material. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from Wellesley College and an M.P.P. from Harvard University. In real life she hangs out with her &#8220;guys&#8221; &#8212; Parker, 3, and Mason, 1, and tries to carve out some time to practice yoga. Alison lives with her family in central Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Essential Concepts

Introducing Access 2003

Getting Started, Getting Around

Designing Your Database the Relational Way

Tables

Creating and Modifying Tables

Entering and Editing Data in Datasheets

Sorting, Finding, and Filtering Data

Importing and Exporting Data

Avoiding "Garbage In, Garbage Out"

Protecting Your Data with Referential Integrity

Queries

Creating Select Queries

Letting Queries Do the Math

Doing Neat Things with Action Queries and Query Wizards

Viewing Your Data from All Angles Using Crosstabs and PivotTables

Forms

Designing and Using Forms (And Reports)

Jazzing Up Your Forms (And Reports)

Creating Smarter Forms

Doing Calculations in Forms (And Reports)

Reports

Creating and Spiffing Up Reports

Printing Beautiful Reports

Creating Charts and Graphs from Your Data

Macros: Automating Stuff in Access

Making Macros Do the Work

Making Macros Smarter

Database Administration

Database Housekeeping

Sharing the Fun - and the Database: Managing Multi-User Access

Securing Your Access Database

Programming in VBA

What the Heck Is VBA?

Writing Code

Writing Smarter Code

Controlling Forms with VBA

Using SQL and Recordsets

Debugging Your Code

Integrating Office Applications

Access on the Web

Creating Data Access Pages

Creating Access Projects

Introducing XML

Appendix: Installing Microsoft Access

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.