Access 2007 Introduction

Learn how to start Microsoft Access, understand why a relational database helps, choose between blank databases and templates, access a sample contacts database online, and open your first form.

Learn how to use the Quick Access Toolbar and Ribbon in Access 2007, customize commands, add frequently used options, and streamline tasks like save, undo, redo, and email.

Use the left navigation pane to access database objects such as tables and queries, with forms, reports, macros, and modules; click the button to hide, or the arrow to show.

Navigate the document window in Access 2007, using tabs to manage open items. Inspect the status bar for current view and enable content to run trusted code.

Open the Northwind database in Microsoft Access to view tables and objects. Explore fields and records, and recognize that each table requires a unique identifier, an ID.

Use table navigation to view record count, move the pointer with first, last, next, and previous, and add new records at the end with automatic save.

Learn to use quick filter and text filters in Access 2007 to sort by last name, filter on multiple columns, and preserve filter states when viewing data.

Configure data types in Access 2007, from text and memo to date/time and currency, and learn how formatting, yes/no, hyperlink, and attachments manage data.

Explore how Access 2007 uses input masks to format data with preset templates for phone numbers, social security numbers, zip codes, passwords, and date and time, plus a try-it feature.

Learn to use the lookup tab to populate a combo box with a value list and why a dedicated lookup table improves data updates over hardcoded states.

Learn how indexing boosts search speed in Access 2007 by using primary keys and custom indexes like last name, while balancing performance with data entry updates and null values.

Learn how to enter data into Access 2007 tables, use auto number fields, and manage new records with visual cues, navigation, and canceling changes.

Use zoom mode in Access 2007 to view long memo fields, adjust the font to Times New Roman size 11, and insert typed text with line breaks into the field.

Learn Microsoft Access 2007 keyboard shortcuts for data entry and navigation, including ctrl+apostrophe, ctrl+semicolon for dates, ctrl+shift+semicolon for times, and search/filters for blanks.

Enter data correctly and use text filters to find records, including begins with and case-insensitive searches. Toggle filters and quick filters enhance data retrieval.

Learn to use replace in access 2007 to change matching text across records, with a warning that changes cannot be undone, such as replacing 'purchasing representative' with 'purchasing rep'.

Learn to customize table views in Access 2007 by hiding and unhiding columns, freezing and unfreezing fields, renaming headers, resizing rows and memo fields, and saving changes.

Explore the select query in Microsoft Access, learn how queries mirror tables by producing editable results, and understand when calculated fields may restrict edits.

Explore the query design view in access 2007, compare view and run, and learn nondestructive select queries as well as types like make table, append, update, crosstab, and delete.

In Access, build queries with the QBE grid by selecting fields from the table view and dragging them to the criteria pane, then sort by last name in ascending order.

Enter criteria in access 2007 to filter records by state, using quotes for text, case-insensitive matching, and or in function logic; explore design view and QBE grid.

Learn how to apply logical operators in Access 2007 to build query criteria, using greater than, less than, equal, and between to include ranges.

Learn to use wildcards in Access criteria to filter products that start with P, using star and question mark in design view, with sorting and the like command.

Create a new form in Access 2007 by using the form button, which populates fields from a table and offers multiple views plus a form wizard to tailor the layout.

design database reports by starting on paper, then build them in access using queries, preview and refine, and finally run the report.

Create a report in Access 2007 using the report wizard to group by state, sort by last name, and print Avery labels or name tags with a landscape stepped layout.

Modify Access 2007 reports by switching between print preview, layout view, and design view, selecting and resizing controls, and organizing headers, footers, and grouping to display state and province data.