1 Web-Enabled Decision Support Systems Access Introduction: Touring Access Prof. Name Position (123) University Name

2 Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Architecture of Microsoft Access 5.3 Access Development Environment 5.4 Exploring Tables 5.5 Relationships 5.6 Exploring Queries 5.7 Getting Access Help 5.8 Summary

3 Introduction Microsoft Access is a relational database management system –Data definition –Data creation –Data management Why Access? –Ease of learning –Integration with MS Office –Popular usage Small to mid sized businesses Academia –Support of standard query languages

4 Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Architecture of Microsoft Access 5.3 Access Development Environment 5.4 Exploring Tables 5.5 Relationships 5.6 Exploring Queries 5.7 Getting Access Help 5.8 Summary

5 The Architecture of Microsoft Access An Access Database is a collection of elements named data objects –Examples: Tables, queries, forms, reports, relationships, toolbars, etc. –Facilitate: Creation, manipulation, and presentation of data Presentation Layer Data Layer Query Layer Table 1Table 2Table 3 Query 1 Query 2 Form 1Form 2Report 1 Report 2 Access Data Object Model

6 Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Architecture of Microsoft Access 5.3 Access Development Environment 5.4 Exploring Tables 5.5 Relationships 5.6 Exploring Queries 5.7 Getting Access Help 5.8 Summary

7 The Task Pane Appears on Access startup Includes frequently used tasks How-to Display: –Choose: View | Toolbars | Customize –Choose the Task Pane check box under the Toolbars tab –Click Close Open the University database file available on | Hands-On Tutorial Files | Chapter 05

8 The Database Window Database Window

9 Access Toolbars and Menus Access offers more than a dozen built in toolbars Most frequently used: –Main Menu File, Edit, Insert, Tools, Window, Help –Database Toolbar New, Open, Copy, Paste, Relationships Database Toolbar Main Toolbar

10 The Options Dialog Box The Options Dialog Box for Global Options –Accessible across all database objects –Choose Tools | Options item from the main menu

11 Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Architecture of Microsoft Access 5.3 Access Development Environment 5.4 Exploring Tables 5.5 Relationships 5.6 Exploring Queries 5.7 Getting Access Help 5.8 Summary

12 Exploring Tables – Datasheet View Access stores and relates its data in tables Datasheet View –Two-dimensional grid Columns: data fields Rows: records

13 Exploring Tables – Design View Design view –User interface for creation or changing of table structure –Design Grid Define fields, data types, and descriptions –Field Properties Set validation and appearance preferences Design Grid Field Properties

14 Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Architecture of Microsoft Access 5.3 Access Development Environment 5.4 Exploring Tables 5.5 Relationships 5.6 Exploring Queries 5.7 Getting Access Help 5.8 Summary

15 Relationships A relationship connects or relates two tables Database Tables Attributes

16 Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Architecture of Microsoft Access 5.3 Access Development Environment 5.4 Exploring Tables 5.5 Relationships 5.6 Exploring Queries 5.7 Getting Access Help 5.8 Summary

17 Exploring Queries A query is a question posed against database tables –Powerful tools –Serve as epicenter of any database management system –Built using: Graphical query design grid (Query By Example, QBE) Standard Query Language (SQL) statements Query Types –Select queries List of data rows Aggregate values (Sum, Count, Avg) Grouped lists –Action queries Insert Update Delete

18 Exploring Queries – Datasheet View Datasheet view –Displays results of a query Query Output

19 Exploring Queries – Design View Design view –Assists in query design Table Pane Design Grid

20 Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Architecture of Microsoft Access 5.3 Access Development Environment 5.4 Exploring Tables 5.5 Relationships 5.6 Exploring Queries 5.7 Getting Access Help 5.8 Summary

21 Getting Access Help There are several was we can invoke online help: –Pressing the F1 function key –Selecting Help | Microsoft Access Help from the main menu –Clicking on the Microsoft Access Help icon on the toolbar

22 Getting Access Help – How-to Getting help on Compressing Database Size –Goal: To improve storage efficiency How-to: 1.Open the Access help as described earlier 2. In the Search text box enter, How do I compact a database? Click the Start Searching button 3. The help displays several relevant topics. Select the Compact and repair an access file option 4. Read and follow the help topic description

23 Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Architecture of Microsoft Access 5.3 Access Development Environment 5.4 Exploring Tables 5.5 Relationships 5.6 Exploring Queries 5.7 Getting Access Help 5.8 Summary

24 Summary Microsoft Access is a relational database management system An Access Database is a collection of elements named data objects –Tables, queries, forms, reports, etc. Access Development Environment –Task Pane –Database Window –Toolbars and Menus Access stores and relates its data in tables –Datasheet View –Design View A relationship connects or relates two tables A query is a question posed against database tables –Datasheet View –Design View

25 Additional Links Review more sample Access database files on the book website: To read more about MS Access product and its benefits visit: