Exploring Microsoft Access 2003 Chapter 7 Building Applications: The Switchboard, Macros, and Prototyping

Objectives (1 of 2) Use the Switchboard Manager create multiple switchboard Use Link Tables command Describe how macros are used to automate applications Describe components of Macro window

Objectives (2 of 2) Explain how prototyping facilitates application development Use the Unmatched Query Wizard Create a macro group

Overview Develop a database user interface Understand and create an application Prototype to demonstrate “look and feel” to potential users Macros automate common commands

Switchboard Design View Record Source for switchboard is Switchboard Items table Switchboard can have 8 menu items

Main Menu About Sports displays an informational box Teams button opens the Teams form

Switchboard Items SwitchboardID identifies which switchboard each item belongs to ItemText specifies text shown on Switchboard ItemNumber identifies position of item on switchboard Command determines action taken when the item is selected Argument determines object to be acted on (form to be opened)

The Switchboard Manager Hands-On Exercise 1 Open the Sports Objects Database The Link Tables Command Import the About Sports Form Start the Switchboard Manager Complete the Switchboard Test the Switchboard Add your records Complete the data Entry Insert the Clip Art Complete the Design

Introduction to Macros Macro automate a command sequence Macro window divided in two: actions and arguments Macro toolbar appears at the top of the macro window AutoExec macro is run whenever database is opened Debugging provides error messages

Macros and Prototyping Hands-On Exercise 2 Create the AutoExec Macro Create the Prototype Macro Create the Close Database Macro Create the Report Switchboard Modify/Test the Main Switchboard Test the Report Switchboard Create the Add Player Macro

Close Database Macro MsgBox action Close action (to close form) Close action (to close database) Enter macro name

Using Macro Groups Macros are grouped to organize the macros for the developer Individual macros within a group must be identified by name and group name (e.g. “MacroGroupName.MacroName”)

The Player Draft Hands-On Exercise 3 The unmatched Query Wizard Modify the Query Create the unmatched Players Form Create the Player Draft Macro Group Create/Modify the Player Draft Form Add the Command Buttons Modify the Main Switchboard Test the Completed System

Prototyping Designed to set up a partially completed version of an application Helps organize and outline what should be in the database Does not contain much real information

Prototyping Hands-On Exercise 4 Create the Prototype Macro Create the Report Menu Form Add the Command Buttons Complete the Report Menu Modify the Main Menu Test the Completed System

Chapter 7 Summary Switchboard makes a database user friendly Splitting tables from objects simplifies upgrades Macros automate a command sequence AutoExec macro executes when database opens Unmatched query wizard finds records in one table without matching records in another table Prototype demonstrates “look and feel” of the application before it is completed

Practice with Access Report Switchboard 2. The Linked Table Manager 3. Splitting a Database 4. The Tech Support Macro 5. Establishing Conditions 6. Complete the Find Player Function 7. The Add Player Macro 8. Inserting a Hyperlink

Case Studies Client/Server Applications Security Options A Project for the Semester The Database Wizard Compacting versus Compressing The AutoKeys Macro