MS Access Training

If you database is not stored on a computer, or only parts of it are you may be tracking information from a variety of sources that you have to coordinate and organize yourself.  For example, suppose the phone numbers of your suppliers are stored in various locations – in a card file containing all phone numbers you have collected, in product information files in a cabinet, and in a spreadsheet containing order information.  If the phone number changes, you have to update that information in all 3 places.  In a relational database, however, you will only have to update that information in one place.  The supplier’s phone numbers are automatically updated wherever you use them in the database.

MS Access Training – How is the Data Structured

Access stores data in a variety of database objects called tables.  Database tables are divided into columns, known as “fields”, and rows, known as “records.”  Every record in a given database table will be unique, although some fields may be the same as those fields in other records.  The unique identifying field of the record is called the “key” field.  Having a key field is what enables you to match up the data in separate tables and create reports that pull data from more than one table as its source.

MS Access Training – Getting Data into the Database

There are two basic methods used in Microsoft access for adding information to a database.  The first and most obvious method is by simply manually entering a new record for a table.  Access allows you to do this by simply opening the table you want to add a record to, going to the end of the existing records, and adding a new one.  Once the new record is added, you simply fill in the required fields.  The other, more efficient method for adding data to your database is by creating a data entry form.  A good ms access training course will devote a good amount of time to teaching you about creating data entry forms as well as creating queries and reports for pulling the data back out of the database and presenting it in ways that are useful.

MS Access Training – Queries and Reports

What is a query?  Many databases contain large varied amounts of information.  There are times when you will need to narrow the focus of the information in the databse or combine information from multiple tables.  This is done through the use of queries.  Queries allow you to view, change, and analyze data in different ways.  You can also use them as a source of records for forms and reports. 

This is just a basic introduction to all of the capabilities that Access brings to your day to day business data.  Learning to use this product well will give you an edge over your colleagues who may only be familiar with the basic database capabilities of Microsoft excel.  (I see many people using Excel when Access would be a more appropriate tool, simply because they are intimidated by the thought of learning to use Access.)  If you feel that learning Microsoft Access would benefit your career, I urge you to pick up a good basic training course online right away.

Learning MS Access

Training Microsoft Access

Access Computer Training