Access 2003 for Starters

by Chase, Kate J.

• ISBN13: 9780596006655
• ISBN10: 0596006659
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-10-01
• Publisher: Oreilly & Associates Inc

Summary

For PC users who need a quick way to get up to speed on Microsoft Access, this compact Missing Manual demystifies database design and offers mastery of the program's most common, useful and productivity-enhancing features. Like all Missing Manuals, it guides the reader through tough topics in language that's intelligent, lively, and 100% free from geek-speak. It's more than an introduction, but far less daunting than a heavy tech book.

Author Biography

Kate J. Chase is a Microsoft MVP in Office Systems as well as the author/co-author or editor of more than 30 technical reference books, including several books and training modules devoted to Office products. She has developed and managed vibrant online support communities for industry leaders like America Online, The Microsoft Network, and ZDnet. In addition, she frequently uses the tools in Office to work collaboratively with partners throughout the US and the world.

Scott Palmer, Ph.D., has done database design and programming since 1985. He is the author of 21 books, including three best-sellers. He was computer columnist for The Washington DC Business Journal and has written for The Wall Street Journal, Federal Computer Week, InfoWorld, PC World, Cato Policy Report, Reason Magazine, and many other publications. He studied at Indiana University, the State University of New York, and the University of London. He is a member of the Mathematical Association of America and the American Economic Association.

Table of Contents

The Missing Credits	xi
Introduction	1	(1)
What's a Database?	2	(3)
About Access Databases	5	(1)
About This Book	6	(2)
The Very Basics	8	(2)
Example Databases	10	(1)
About MissingManuals.com	10	(1)
Safari Enabled	11	(4)
PART ONE: BUILDING A DATABASE
Creating Databases	15	(38)
A Tour of an Access Database	16	(7)
The Access Window	16	(1)
Tables	16	(1)
Forms	17	(2)
Queries	19	(1)
Reports	20	(1)
Putting It All Together	21	(2)
Creating a New Database	23	(2)
Starting with a Wizard	25	(13)
Phase 1: Choosing Your Template	25	(4)
Phase 2: Choosing Table Fields	29	(4)
Phase 3: Choosing Styles for Forms and Reports	33	(1)
Phase 4: Adding a Title and a Picture	34	(4)
Modifying the Wizard's Database	38	(11)
Opening a Database	39	(1)
Navigating with the Switchboard	40	(2)
Adjusting Table Designs	42	(4)
Adding Records Using a Form	46	(2)
Printing a Report	48	(1)
Starting from a Blank Database	49	(4)
Creating Tables to Hold Data	53	(36)
Planning Your Tables	54	(2)
Creating Tables with the Wizard	56	(14)
Phase 1: Starting the Table Wizard	57	(1)
Phase 2: Choosing Fields for Your Table	58	(3)
Phase 3: Naming Your Table and Setting a Primary Key	61	(6)
Phase 5: Creating Your Table	67	(3)
Creating Tables in the Design Window	70	(12)
Adding Fields	71	(3)
Choosing Data Types	74	(6)
Setting Field Properties	80	(2)
Adding and Editing Table Data	82	(4)
Adding Records to a Datasheet	82	(3)
Editing Records in a Datasheet	85	(1)
Changing How a Table Displays Data	86	(3)
Creating Forms to Add and Display Data	89	(34)
Form Basics	91	(6)
Form Layouts	91	(3)
Controls	94	(1)
Properties and the Property Sheet	95	(2)
Creating Autoforms	97	(3)
Creating Forms with the Form Wizard	100	(9)
Phase 1: Choosing a Record Source	100	(2)
Phase 2: Choosing Fields	102	(2)
Phase 3: Choosing a Form Layout	104	(1)
Phase 4: Choosing a Form Style	105	(2)
Phase 5: Naming and Saving the Form	107	(2)
Modifying the Form Design	109	(6)
Editing the Labels	110	(2)
Adding a Title in the Form Header	112	(2)
Dragging a Control	114	(1)
Creating Forms in Design View	115	(8)
Phase 1: Starting Your Design	116	(1)
Phase 2: Choosing a Data Source	117	(1)
Phase 3: Adding Fields to the Form	118	(1)
Phase 4: Adding Images to the Form	119	(1)
Phase 5: Adding a Form Style	120	(1)
Phase 6: Naming and Saving the Form	120	(3)
Linking Tables to Combine Data	123	(30)
Why Relate?	125	(4)
A Relational Database Tour	129	(5)
Common Fields	131	(1)
Subdatasheets and Subforms	132	(2)
Linking Tables in the Relationships Window	134	(7)
Adding Tables to the Relationships Window	135	(1)
Adding Relationships Between Tables	136	(3)
Modifying or Deleting Relationships	139	(1)
Printing Relationships	140	(1)
Using Subdatasheets to View Related Items	141	(3)
Creating Subforms	144	(9)
Adding Information in a Subform	148	(5)
PART TWO: ORGANIZING INFORMATION
Sorting and Filtering	153	(30)
Sorting Database Records	154	(9)
Ascending Sorts	155	(2)
Descending Sorts	157	(1)
Sorting on Multiple Fields	157	(4)
Saving Your Sorting Choice	161	(2)
Finding Data with Filters	163	(20)
Filtering by Selection: The Quick Way to Filter	168	(3)
Filtering by Form	171	(1)
Filtering with Wildcards, Operators, and Expressions	172	(6)
Using Advanced Filter/Sort	178	(5)
Finding Data with Queries	183	(36)
Types of Queries	186	(3)
Select Query	186	(1)
Crosstab Query	186	(1)
Parameter Query	187	(1)
Action Query	187	(1)
Autolookup Query	187	(1)
SQL Query	188	(1)
Setting Query Properties	189	(1)
Creating Queries with the Query Wizard	190	(25)
Creating a Simple Query	193	(7)
Creating a Crosstab Query	200	(3)
Using a Query to Check for Duplicate Records	203	(8)
Creating a Find Unmatched Query	211	(4)
Saving, Deleting, and Printing Queries	215	(4)
Creating Custom Queries	219	(38)
Creating Queries in the Query Design Window	220	(37)
Using Criteria in Queries	221	(2)
Crafting a Custom Query Using the Query Design Window	223	(6)
Tweaking Your Custom Query	229	(2)
Getting Sums, Totals, and Averages from Your Database	231	(14)
Using Expression Builder	245	(12)
Generating Reports	257	(30)
Report Basics	258	(9)
How Reports Differ from Forms	259	(1)
Types of Access Reports	259	(4)
Two Ways to Create Reports	263	(1)
Displaying and Printing Reports	264	(3)
Parts of a Report	267	(4)
Report Design Sections	267	(4)
Using the Report Wizard	271	(16)
Starting the Wizard	271	(1)
Choosing the Report Type	272	(1)
Choosing the Data Source	273	(1)
Choosing the Fields	273	(2)
Grouping the Report Data	275	(1)
Sorting the Report Data	275	(4)
Choosing a Report Layout	279	(2)
Choosing a Report Style	281	(1)
Adding a Report Title	281	(6)
PART THREE: APPENDIXES
Appendix A: Help and Installation	287	(26)
Installing Access 2003	288	(2)
Access Help	290	(7)
Visiting Microsoft Office Online	297	(16)
Appendix B: Access FAQ	313	(24)
Importing and Exporting	314	(15)
Validation	329	(6)
Finding Find	335	(2)
Appendix C: Access 2003, Menu by Menu	337	(32)
File Menu	340	(4)
Edit Menu	344	(4)
View Menu	348	(5)
Insert Menu	353	(2)
Format Menu	355	(3)
Records Menu	358	(2)
Tools Menu	360	(7)
Window Menu	367	(1)
Help Menu	368	(1)
Index	369