Creating Databases Without Wizards

Age : 45 Joined : 08 Mar 2008 Posts : 1850

The speediest way for new users to get up and running with Access is to use a wizard. If you find that wizards don't provide the functionality you need, however, you may want to start building databases without them. You'll soon realize the maximum capabilities of Access by tailoring a database to meet your specific needs. The design tools that Access offers allow users to specify exactly how they want their databases to work.

The basic function of any database is to store and organize a collection of related information. Microsoft Access does this by using objects, which are building blocks that perform different actions. Access saves these objects under one file to create the database. When the database is working properly, users can enter data and request or print specific information.

Creating a database requires that the user determine the objective of the database and then add the Access objects, including tables, forms, reports, queries, macros, modules, and data access pages. Tables, the foundation of the database, store the data. Forms display data on-screen, reports display data on paper, and data access pages display data via a Web browser. Queries pull portions of data to appropriately answer questions and macros and modules perform actions in the background that help the database to work seamlessly.