1. Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
DATA BASE FORMS
AND NOT ONLY

2. Summary Tips and tricks to use computer faster. Pag 3
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
Summary
Tips and tricks to use computer faster. Pag 3
Review of previous lesson Pag 14
What is a form? Pag 16
How to realize a form Pag 17
Exercises.

3. Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Sometimes you could think that on a computer there are too many switches, buttons on a screen, controls etc. …probably you’re right! 
In this first item we’ll try to familiarize with this controls and we’ll learn some procedures to use computers friendly.

4. Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Last lesson we learned how to realize a simple data base with two tables and one relation between them. Let’s see un alternative way to reopen it.
Probably your database is recorded on your USB (Universal Serial Bus) drive.
There are several ways to reopen it quickly, but have a look at the following one:
- On the keyboard hit both keys:

5. Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Computer Resources should have appeared: In this window you can easily find your Database.
In my case Access data base is in the removable media:
My data base is in this removable device. The letter associated to the device is «H:»
We have already hands on the keyboard so we try to open this removable media only using keyboard (because our hands are already there) and not with the mouse:

6. Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Now push buttons «Alt + I». The control on focus should have moved to the address bar.
Highlighted after «alt+I»
Now digit «H:» (character H could vary according your computer setup) followed by Return (or enter) key

7. Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Module 2
Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Data Base Forms &! only
Now we are positioned on «H:» media, and on the right side of the screen you can find «Database_students» of previuos lesson.
On this row we can see our Database, and, at the far right of the column, the amount of space used on my USB device H: (468KB in my case) ?
But… how many Bytes (remember that one Byte is one character) is occuping my 468 KB file?
Remember again that 1KBytes = 1024 Bytes (210).
A bit difficult to do by memory.. A calculator should be useful… but Windows has an integrated calculator! Let’s learn how to start it quickly! ?

8. Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
This time we use the mouse:
1) Point on the Application bar at the bottom of the screen
Point the mouse hereabout (in an area free of icons) and hit right mouse button
A contextual menu appears. Then you have to click on «Mostra desktop»
«Show desktop» for english version.
A contextual menu is a menu whose choices are inherent in context, that is the point where you are pointing with the mouse.
If you don’t know where a command is hidden, probably on a right click menu you’ll find it.

9. Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
A clear Desktop should appear:
Now you have to locate calulator by clicking on Start, tutti i programmi (all programs for English version), Accessori (Accessories for English version) and here you can find calculator.
DO NOT OPEN IT AT THE TIME!

10. Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Now:
Click on calculator and keep left key of the mouse pressed.
Drag to the middle of the screen and keep left key of the mouse pressed.
Press «ctrl» key on the keyboard. Calculator icon should change as follows:
Now you can release left mouse button and ctrl key.

11. Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Now we have calculator icon on the desktop (and still where it was).
Last thing we need is a shortcut to activate it. Let’s see how to do that:
Right click with a mouse on calculator icon, then click on «properties»

12. Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Locate this control «Tasti di scelta rapida», click in there and push «C» (for Calculator) on the keyboard. Then click OK.

13. Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
Tips and tricks to use computer faster.
Now try to push on the keyboard CTRL+ALT+C. A calculator should appear immediatly on your screen!
ACTIVITY 1
Now you can answer to question on pag 7. Work in pair, compute your answer and compare the result with your collegue.
ACTIVITY 2
Working in pair write on a scratch paper the tricks you remember to use your computer faster. Then compare what you wrote with your partner and discuss and experiment if you have something different.

14. Review of previous lesson.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
Review of previous lesson.
Last lesson we learned how to realize a simple data base with two tables and one relation between them.
Here you can see record layouts of table student and table state:

15. Review of previous lesson.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
Review of previous lesson.
And here the relation between them:
During last lesson the only way we knew to populate the tables was to write straight on the table. More or less like when we write data in Excel.
Now imagine to sell your data base. Do you think this is a convenient way for a non-particularly informatics skilled customer to input data in such a way?
In this lesson we will learn an easier way to input data and view result.

16. Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
What is a Form?
A form is an Access tool to input data on a table. Let’s learn how to create a form to input data on students table:
3) Click on Creazione guidata maschera («form wizard» for english version)
1) Select students table
2) Click on Crea tab (Create for english version)

17. Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
How to realize a form.
If you did it well a «form wizard» appeare. A wizard is a user friendly sequence of dialog boxes. Its purpose is to help you to do something.
This is a form wizard box
Now click on the double arrow button to select all the fields.

18. How to realize a form. You should get a box as below:
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
How to realize a form.
You should get a box as below:
Now all the fields of students table are selected to be shown on the form.
Usually we don’t need to show on the form the primary key of the table.
Next step is to remove it.
Now select «id_student» and click on the left pointing button.

19. /* Little break to remind */
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
How to realize a form.
/* Little break to remind */
Now work in pairs:
Task of Student#1 is to write what is a field layout.
Task of Student#2 is to write what is a primary key.
Then swap a paper where you wrote down.
Do you agree with your collegue? If not you have 5 min to discuss about.
Time elapsed!

20. How to realize a form. Let’s continue with the previous wizard
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
How to realize a form.
Let’s continue with the previous wizard
The box should appear like this:
Now we can click on Avanti button (Next for english version).

21. Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
How to realize a form.
In this step we can only change the form layout.
Now we can click on Avanti button (Next for english version).

22. Almost finished! How to realize a form.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
How to realize a form.
Almost finished!
Enter here the name of the form. Despite allowed, as general rule, never use a space character in a name of something.
Do you see here that F is underlined? Try, on the keyboard, to push alt+f. It’s a same as click on the button.

23. Finished! How to realize a form. Record selector. Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
How to realize a form.
Finished!
This is a final form.
Record selector.

24. Tune your form How to realize a form.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
How to realize a form.
Tune your form
Now you can modify the layout of your form using drag and drop technique.
Switch to layout visualization to modify the mask.

25. Sort your form How to realize a form.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
How to realize a form.
Sort your form
You can sort the data on your form in any possible way. It’s as simple as click on the field you want to order. Then select ascending or descending in the contextual menu.
Right Click on the field you want to use as order key.
Then click on ascending or descending as you want.

26. Filter your form How to realize a form.
Module 2
Data Base Forms &! only
How to realize a form.
Filter your form
You can filter the data on your form in any possible way. It’s as simple as click on the field you want to filter. Then select the kind of filter you deside.
Right Click on the field you want to filter. Then click on the filter you want. Remember that you can use «?» and «*» as wildcard for one character or a sequence of characters.
Eg.
1) Filter «M?rco» -> Marco & Mirco will pass the filter.
2) Filter «M*» -> Marco & Mirco & Maria will pass the filter.