Getting to Know MS Access 2003 - Objects: Tables, Queries, Forms and More
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The objects available to you include: tables, queries, forms, reports, pages, macros, and modules.
Tables hold all your data. In Access you will almost always distribute your data among several tables, in order to take advantage of the relational nature of Access. We’ll talk more about the meaning of the word ‘relational’ in the next lesson.
Queries are saved questions. Generally, a query has a finite number of records that answer the question you’re asking.
Forms are a more convenient way of entering data into your tables than the standard table datasheet view. Forms display a single record at a time, making data entry more conceptually simple and attractive.
Reports are useful for printing your data. Reports can be very simple or very polished. Reports can include totals or other value summaries and are useful for preparing information for various groups. You can also create reports to be used for mailing labels.
Data access pages are data views you can use on a website. Data Access Pages make use of HTML and XML technologies.
Macros are commands that perform certain tasks and are especially useful as actions that respond to button clicks.
Modules are Visual Basic programs used in advanced Access programming.
The Groups title button includes favorites that are useful if your database is used by multiple people or departments. Each group can have its own selection of favorite tables, queries, reports, forms, and so forth. You can easily create new groups by right-clicking the area beneath the Groups title button and selecting ‘New Group’ from the menu.
You’ll also notice that several more buttons have become un-dimmed at the top of the program window, now that you have opened the Northwind database. Run your mouse pointer slowly over these and read the resulting tool tips to see what each of them does.
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