Access 2003 for Starters

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.

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.

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

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

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Access 2003 for Starters

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials