Here is a 3-page
Access
Tutorial that discusses and explains the basics of
using a database application like Access, and what you can do with it.
It shows you, using screen shots and descriptions, how to add and
manage Tables
and how to perfrom Queries
so you can access the data in your database. By using Access, you can
analyze and organize your information into tables and then query and
report on it so you can understand and use
it. Microsoft Access has four main features that you need to
learn so you can use it effectively: Tables, Queries, Forms, and
Reports.
Access Terminology:
Table:
- A table consists of rows and columns and where the actual data is stored.
- A table has fields. The field is the name of a column and identifies the type of data to be stored in that column such as age, last name, date of birth, etc.
- A record is the row of data and contains one of each field.
- A query requests the tables in the database to provide specific information. You can also store the information from a query in it's own table.
- Forms are optionally used to input, or enter data, into tables. Access allows you to create forms to do this. Data can be input straight into the table but forms give you more control over what kind of data is input.
- A report retrieves data from the tables using a query and presents it in a easy to read format.