Tips For Designing Databases In Microsoft Access
27775
Computers > Software
Jun 18, 2007
microsofttraining
Tips For Designing Databases In Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is a Database Management System (DBMS) designed for the Windows environment, which has rapidly become the database of choice for Windows based database development. Access provides powerful and easy to use design tools which make it deceptively easy to get into. For many simple database applications you can use the wizards provided, but without any introduction access training you may start developing databases and then suddenly realise you are out of your depth. Described below are a number of suggestions and hints to try and make your database development work that much easier. Design database tables properly It is important to design your database tables properly, spending time and effort to make sure you get this right. If the underlying database structure is wrong everything you subsequently do is made much harder and may not even function at all. Table design issues to look out for include using the correct data types (don't use a numeric field for a telephone number for example), use indexing correctly and make sure your design is normalised. Don't rely on the access wizards The wizards are fine for producing a simple and quick database that meets one of the supplied examples but don't try and take them too far. If you want something that doesn't match one of the pre-defined templates you should look at the underlying structures to make sure that these will work with your proposed solutions. However, the Query Design wizard is great and very useful in making SQL more approachable. If you don't know what SQL is then you really need to undertake more advanced access training before tackling any significant database work. Split your database Split your database into at least two. Keep all your forms, reports and code in one 'code' database, and all your tables in another 'data' database which is linked to the 'code' one. This makes modifications, updates and backups much easier to perform and means you can work on new versions of your 'code' database without existing users being affected. It also makes it easier when you want to convert a single user database into a multi-user networked version. Limit character use in field names Don't use spaces, quotation marks or other punctuation characters in your field names. Stick to A to Z, a to z, 0 to 9 and underscore. The use of single or double quotation marks can mess up SQL causing your queries to fail. Spaces and other punctuation characters will work the majority of the time but require you to remember to put these field names in square brackets, and if you export data to another package you may find that it won't accept these field names. By avoiding them altogether you can save much heartache later. Learn and use VBA Learn and use VBA and you can completely forget about macros. Macros are fine but they can be very limiting. For example, you cannot include any error trapping within a macro and so if it has a problem your application will just crash without any warning. If you want to do any serious development using Access you really must use the proper programming language. Limit your colour palette Finally, don't be over enthusiastic with your colour palette. Using a limited number of colours from the more subtle end of the range is usually more effective and less distracting and irritating that a lot of glaring, bright colours. The above illustrates a number of ways in which you can improve your database development. Many training companies offer instructor led Microsoft Access training courses where you can obtain these skills. Trainers have real development knowledge and are able to break down key concepts making them simple to understand. Those users new to Access will benefit from introduction access training, where they will learn how to use tables, field and records in combination with simple queries, forms and views. More advanced users tackling some of the more complex issues described above will benefit from advanced access training where they can develop skills in SQL queries and how they work in relational databases.
Author is a trainer with a Microsoft Office Training company, the UK industry leader in its sector. For more information on Microsoft Access Training, please visit http://www.MicrosoftTraining.net
send email to microsofttraining
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
With a new baby on the way life can feel very full. From birth announcements and a photo-based Website about your new arrival to growth charts and christening invitations, Microsoft Office can help make everything run smoothly.
Category:
Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the most popular programs within the Microsoft Office suite, being used to create and present a huge number of slide show presentations. If you have not had any PowerPoint software training you are probably not aware of the
Category:
Whatever line of business you are in, having well trained employees is vital to the success of that business. In the modern working environment most employees can't get through a working week without using a computer and the majority of them will use the
Category:
It seems to me that project management is all about expertly juggling lots of different balls whilst taking care to catch them all at the right time. Consequently, it appears logical that great benefits will come from using a tool that can aid this juggli
Category:
Microsoft Access is a Database Management System (DBMS) designed for the Windows environment, which has rapidly become the database of choice for Windows based database development. Access provides powerful and easy to use design tools which make it decep
Category:
Whether you are a student preparing a dissertation, a client writing a letter to your bank or an entrepreneur developing your business plan, I expect that you will be using a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word, to do so.
Category:
Just take a moment if you will, to imagine being a contestant on a popular quiz show. I am sure you would feel quite confident if the first question to appear on your screen asked you to explain what is Microsoft Excel?.
Category:
Editing a document can be a time consuming, laborious task. Microsoft Word has a large array of editing features which can speed up and simplify this process. A few examples of these, with tips on how to use them, are given below.
Category:
I would like to share with you something my English teacher once said. There are three things that make a good presentation: preparation, preparation and more preparation.
Category:
One of the most useful tools in Microsoft Excel is the capability to apply formulas to the data within your spreadsheet. This tool is also one of the least understood. Just a little excel software training will help you to understand some of the basic fun
Category:
At some time or other in our lives we are likely to set ourselves personal goals, whether it is a New Year's resolution to get fit or a wish to gain a promotion and a pay rise. Regardless of our choice of target, a plan of action must be put in place to h
Category:
Persuasion technology is used for presenting or promoting a point of view. Presentations are a part of most of our lives today, whether to dazzle others with our oratory skills or to sell our top of the range products.
Category:
Judging by most office PowerPoint presentations, most employees don't realize that there is much more to PowerPoint than just graphs and text bullets. How many important points have your co-workers failed to get across in meetings because of dreadful pres
Category:
Microsoft estimate that around 1 million PowerPoint presentations are given every day. The vast majority consist of bullet points with white text on a dark background, made up of text that is too small to read, accompanied by Clip Art and with annoying an
Category:
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet creation and analysis tool that gives you the tools you need to manage critical business data and the power to get the most out of your information. Excel provides you with the tools to easily access, process, analyse, sha
Category:
Even experts can benefit from Dreamweaver training. Here are a few things you might not know.
Category:
Other links at Computers > Software
Eraser internet is certainly ruling the roost currently, as more and more people are becoming aware of Internet security. It is not just protection for their website browsing habits and passwords that they want, but they want a total protection from all k
Category:
If any company knows how to operate efficiently and get serious results, it's Microsoft. Microsoft's infrastructure is built upon a highly project-centred environment, making Microsoft the ideal author of project planning software.
Category:
The jewelry business management software has become a most favorite concept in the jewelry designing industry globe of late. What is this software anyways? Is it just a software tool to keep inventory lists that are necessary in making jewelry, as the fea
Category:
Effective databases can be created using Microsoft Access. However, if more complex databases are required you must write code using a programming environment called Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68252
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
