Frequently Asked Questions

What is this course about? Developing effective Windows applications requires effort and knowledge. Microsoft Access provides easy-to-use tools targeted towards developing powerful, efficient database applications for the Windows environment. This course can provide in five days what might otherwise take weeks or months to learn. You learn about Access tools and functions and the entire process of gathering requirements, designing a normalised data model, building a functioning database and creating useful forms and reports Who will benefit from this course? This course benefits systems analysts, developers, managers and programmers who wish to develop database applications for Windows. Microsoft Access can help with: Rapid development of new database applications Building a Windows front-end for an existing SQL database system Creating database applications in a visual design environment Redesigning an existing database application to be more intuitive and usable Rightsizing mainframe database applications Linking a database application with other Microsoft Office products What background do I need? No programming or database experience is necessary; however, you should be familiar with the Windows graphical environment. Some background in database design and standard query languages is helpful. Will I learn to create database applications in this course? Yes, this course takes you through the process of planning, normalising and building a functioning Microsoft Access database system. You actually design, build and take with you a business-oriented database application. I've heard that Microsoft Access can work as a front-end to SQL Server. Does the course cover that feature? Yes! You learn to attach to and import from SQL tables, see how Access generates SQL statements automatically using query wizards, review SQL syntax conventions and connect to SQL Server. What is Visual Basic for Applications, and how much will I learn about it in the course? Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is a programming language that automates Microsoft Access functions. You can develop complete Windows database applications using VBA with Microsoft Access. This course explores beginning concepts in VBA. You practise event programming using VBA procedures and functions, and working with variables. I have pushed Excel to its limits. Is this course appropriate for me? Yes! Microsoft Access is the natural progression beyond the limitations of Excel. This course will enable you to analyze, manipulate and track data. You also generate complex reports with grouping and sorting. How much time is spent on each topic? Content Hours Introduction to Access 1.5 The objects of database design 1.5 Creating a database management system 4.0 Querying the database 4.0 Getting the data in 4.5 Access reports 4.0 Programming with macros 3.0 Using Visual Basic for Applications 1.0 Access as a front-end for SQL 2.5 Advanced techniques 2.5 Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class. What kind of hands-on exercises are done in the course? In the course, you build a Microsoft Access database, establish indexes and data relationships, and use several methods of importing data into the database. A number of table, form, query and report wizards are introduced and used throughout the course. You also gain extensive practise designing queries, using macros and VBA for rapid application development and generating several different kinds of standardised and custom report formats. What if I use a previous version of Access? The skills learned in this course are applicable to Access 2003/2002/2000/97/95. How does this course fit into Learning Tree's Access curriculum? The curriculum includes three courses: 307, Access™ 2003: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction provides the foundation knowledge you need to be successful in Courses 377. It focuses on the operation of Access from the user interface. 377, Programming Access™ 2003: Hands-On is the intermediate course in the curriculum. You learn to enhance queries, forms and reports to create more useful and professional-looking documents. How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses? Other Learning Tree courses that may be of interest are: 304, Hands-On Visual Basic® 6 provides a comprehensive introduction to developing Windows applications with Visual Basic 6, Microsoft's popular visual development environment. 209, VBA Programming: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction teaches you how to program using the VBA programming tools. You also learn to automate repetitive tasks performed by users of existing business applications. 382, Relational Database Design, Tools and Techniques: Hands-On provides a comprehensive introduction to relational databases, which are designed, built and manipulated based on relational technology - the state-of-the-art approach to organising and accessing data. 315, Developing User Requirements: The Key to Project Success provides the knowledge and skills to write well-formed and validated user requirements. 971, Building Applications with Access™ 2007: Hands-On provides the skills necessary to create intelligent forms by manipulating properties, executing methods, and incorporating business logic to create a complete solution. 296, Project Management: Skills for Success teaches you to successfully plan, manage and deliver projects. 299, Microsoft® Project Comprehensive Introduction teaches you to solve typical project and business problems using the planning, control and reporting features of Microsoft Project.

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