Microsoft Access Database 2007 – Understanding Access

In the next few weeks, I’ll be engaging in multiple projects that will require me to utilize my existing Microsoft Access Database skills and learn new ones to find a solution for my work.

While I have experience in both building and maintaining a database, some things are a bit fuzzy since it’s been several years since I’ve been actively involved with Access.

Expect multiple Access 2007 posts, which I’ll continue to build upon. This helps me be documenting this information and I’m hoping that by sharing this information and the tips I find along the way that it may eventually help you as well.

What is a Database?

Author Michael McDonald wrote “a database is a collection of information. In Access, every database is stored in a single file. The file contains database objects, which are simply the components of a database,” (Microsoft Access 2007 The Missing Manual).

Components of a Database

Table – The heart of the database. You begin your database by building tables, which will store information specific to different information.

image via geekpedia.com

Queries – Queries build off tables by letting you quickly perform actions on a table. With queries, you can select specify which fields you want, add calculations and ultimately view the information in many different ways.

image via techonthenet.com

Forms – Forms take information from tables or queries and provide attractive windows to view or change information.

Reports – Reports let you specify which information you want to present, while letting you organize it in a more presentable way.

image via databasedev.co.uk

Macros – Macros are programs that let you automate custom tasks. It lets you utilize programming functions without having programming knowledge or experience.

image via accessjunkie.com

Modules – Modules are containers with Visual Basic Code. If you know Visual Basic, you can automate just about any task.

The objects above are each important to a database. When I build a database, I start with my tables, then build my queries and forms. Basic users of the database will be able to work with forms and reports, but the tables and sometimes queries will be hidden.

This was just a little intro to the series of posts I’ll be publishing. I can tell you from experience that learning to build and maintain an Access Database is a very marketable skill that only a small percentage of individuals possess.