Introduction to Access By Mary Ann Chaney and Alicia Harkleroad

Microsoft Access Microsoft Access is a powerful program to create and manage your databases. It has many built in features to assist you in constructing and viewing your information.

First of all you need to understand how Microsoft Access breaks down a database. Some keywords involved in this process are: Database File, Table, Record, Field, Data-type. Database File: This is your main file that encompasses the entire database and that is saved to your hard-drive or floppy disk. (Example: video.mdb ) Table: A table is a collection of data about a specific topic.. Field: Fields are the different categories within a Table. Tables usually contain multiple fields. Datatypes:Datatypes are the properties of each field. A field only has 1 datatype. (text, number…)

Creating a Blank Database Open Access by either double clicking on the icon or click the Start button on the taskbar, point to All Programs, Microsoft Office and click on Microsoft Access. Choose the Create a New File option.

Choose the Blank Database option and notice that the File New Database box appears.

Creating a Blank Database Save the new database to your file storage location. In this case, School Nutrition. After saving the file, the Access database window will appear.

Creating a Blank Database Double click on “Create table in design view.” A blank table will open and then you will design the table structure by Naming Fields and defining Data Types. –Each field will have a unique name. –A field can contain up to 64 characters and can contain letter, numbers spaces and most punctuation marks. Field names cannot contain periods, exclamation marks or square brackets.

Data Types Each field is assigned a data type that determines the type of data the field may contain. The most common types are listed below: –Text: can contain any type of character. –Number: can only contain numbers and typically used in calculations. –Currency: can be used in calculations. Access formats the numbers in currency field with dollar signs, commas, decimal points and digits following the decimal point. –Date/Time: can contain dates and times. Dates can be used in calculations. For example, you can subtract two dates to determine the number of days between the dates.

Defining Fields Type SSN as the field name. Tab over to the Data Type box. Select Text from the drop down menu. Tab to the description box if you wish to make notes. The field size can be changed if necessary.

Defining Fields Click in the next Field Name box and type Date of Hire. Tab over to Data Type and change the type to Date/Time. Click in the Format box, choose Short Date.

Primary Keys Most Access tables have one field defined as the primary key. The field chosen to be the primary key field must contain unique data; for example, numbers or codes. The Primary Key for the School Nutrition Table will be Social Security Number. You cannot designate a field like Name as the primary key because more than one person can have the same name.

Defining a Primary Key Click in the field name box that you want to make the primary key (SSN for SN Table). Click the Primary Key button on the Access toolbar.

Entering Data in Datasheet View Design view was used to set up the School Nutrition table. However, to enter data into the table, you must display the table in Datasheet view. Once a table is opened in Datasheet view, you can enter data the same way it is entered into an Excel worksheet. The Tab key can be used to move forward one table cell. You can also click in any cell and enter new data or edit existing data.

Design View Datasheet View

Modifying and Maintaining Tables Adding a record –Click the New Record button on the toolbar while in datasheet view. –Key the data in the appropriate field and then save the table again.

Modifying and Maintaining Tables Deleting a record –Click in the row you want to delete. –Click the Delete Record button on the toolbar.

Modifying and Maintaining Tables Finding Records –Click the Find Button on the toolbar while in Datasheet view. –At the Find and Replace dialog box, type the information you want to find or a portion of it and then click the Find Next button.

Modifying and Maintaining Tables Finding and Replacing Records –Click the Find button on the toolbar while in Datasheet view. –At the Find and Replace dialog box, Type what you want to find (i.e. Unknown in the sex row). –Click the Replace tab, Type what you want to replace the current information with (i.e. Female).

Queries Queries are an essential part of any Access database. Queries allow you to extract (pull out) specific data. When you run a query, Access creates a temporary table using the field and criteria you specify in the query. The temporary table is known as a record set.

Queries Designing a Query –Open the database file (School Nutrition) –Click the Queries button on the Objects bar. –Double click the Create Query in Design View.

Queries –The Query window will appear and the Show Table dialog box will be displayed. –Select the table you want to include in the query and then click the Add button. –When all the tables you need have been added, click the Close button.

Working with the Query Design Grid The Design grid appears when you begin setting up a new query. This allows you to specify the fields to include in the query.

Adding Fields to the Design Grid The first step in defining a query is to add fields to the Design grid. The fields you add to the Design grid will appear in the record set. Once you have added fields to the Design grid, you can specify sorting options, criteria and other options that affect the record set.

Techniques for Adding Fields to the Query Design Grid Double click- add a single field to the Design grid by double clicking the desired field in the field list. Drop down list- add a single field by clicking in a field cell, clicking the drop down button that appears and choosing the desired field from the drop down menu. Drag- add a field or fields by dragging them from a field list to the desired cell in the Design grid. All fields- add all fields to the Design grid by double clicking the asterisk (*) symbol at the top of the desired field list.

Running Queries You can run a query by clicking the Run button on the toolbar. When you run a query, Access selects records and fields from tables in your database and displays the record set. You can navigate through the record set or print. The record set always reflects the current data stored in the database.