Microsoft Access Introduction

Discovering the interface

• Quick data functions in reports
• Categorising with command groups
• Changing the view to discover contextual tabs

Overview of database concepts

• Databases and their contents
• Flat file and relational databases
• Conforming Access to RDBMS standards

The fundamentals of database design

• Tables, records and fields
• Implementing database normalisation
• Ordering schemes
• Indexes
• Setting composite primary keys

Defining the requirements

• Eliciting user needs and wants
• Consolidating a design into a system specification
• Designing the data model

Creating an Access database system

• Selecting the best Access design style
• Access tables, fields, indexes
• Assigning proper field types
• Table relationships
• Modifying field functionality with properties

Integrating internal and external data

• Customising forms with the Layout View
• Embedding forms
• Importing existing tables
• Protecting data using layered validation
• Picking controls in Layout and Design Views

Query types and elements

• Defining queries
• Choosing fields in the Design View
• Select, Action and Parameter queries

Developing queries

• Query wizards
• Expressions in queries
• Refining data output with sorting and filtering
• Creating calculated fields

Implementing Report wizards

• Generating quick reports
• Enhancing your presentation with conditional formatting
• Exploiting formulas and expressions in reports
• Sorting out groups and totals

Modifying the standard report formats

• Adjusting report controls
• Changing group order and effects
• Formulating values in expressions
• Publishing to PDF and XPS formats

Designing effective macros

• Point-and-click
• Embedded macros
• Macro style guidelines
• Running a macro from events
• Picking macro actions and arguments

Event-driven programming

• Linking forms and reports
• Associating macros with controls
• Managing security through the Trust Center
• Designing a custom Navigation Pane

Data separation in Access

• Creating a non-data ACCDB
• Strategically placing your data
• Handling multiuser conflicts

Linking to external data sources

• The ODBC connectivity standard
• Utilising SQL Server data within Access
• Publishing to the cloud