How to create a database in Access. Working with the Access database

Many of the domestic users know what kind of uproar has risen due to the modified interface of MS Office 2007, and than not only watered its developers! "Guru" complained that the new office package became "uncomfortable and strange", and therefore confidently predicted his imminent demise and complete oblivion of users.

In vain! Since nothing of the kind happened, on the contrary, it soon became clear that it was much easier and more convenient to use the new version of the "Office".

And therefore (as expected) all the changes, the prerequisites for which were created already in the "Office of 2007", not only successfully migrated to its new hypostasis, but also got quite logical development. That's why the 2010 version became extremely popular among professional users.

Changes in the new version of Access

Very significant changes have affected the famous application for creating databases. With the new Sparklines component, you can create and edit huge arrays of information. And thanks to the Slicer tool, you can easily and quickly navigate even in huge databases. And all thanks to high-quality and customized filtration systems.

In addition, developers have added better integration with Excel, directly from which you can import large arrays of information. However, novice users are much more likely to wonder how to create a database in Access.

What it is

To properly create databases, you need to first understand their essence. A database is a strictly organized structure designed to store and organize information. It can contain extremely diverse objects, but their logical unit is the table.

Their main difference from similar structures in the spreadsheet editor is that they are interrelated. By making a change to any element, you automatically initiate the replacement of all related structures. Simply put, you no longer need to worry about manually editing huge information tables.

What operations can be performed using MS Access?

Do not assume that this application is a kind of "logical continuation" of Excel. The possibilities of the program in question are much wider. In particular, any creation of the MS Access database involves a thorough thought over the information structure of a particular document, checking the integrity of the source data, and using this information to model queries, forms, and reports.

Creation Example

Since it is possible to create a database in Access using the "Wizard", which simplifies the work for novice users, the process itself is not particularly complicated. But we would not recommend going this way, because for productive work it is necessary to understand all the processes that take place.

Run the application first. A dialog for creating a new document appears on the monitor. In it, you should select the "New database" item. In the "File name" field, it is meaningful. Avoid repetitive and meaningless names: as a result of any mistake or inattention, you can easily lose important information.

After that, the "New" button is pressed. Immediately afterwards, a dialog box will appear on the monitor for creating a new information table, based on which you will create your project.

Which mode to choose?

The table can be mounted in several modes, but we would advise the "Designer", because it is easier to control the entire process and better imagine the entire internal structure of the document.

To go to it, use the "View-Constructor" transition. After that, you can enter the required name for the specific table. Since they may require several more, we recommend that you again use some meaningful names.

Now, actually, the process itself. How to create a database in Access? First of all, you must select and fill in field names, define data types, and set the correct key field. Only after that you can start filling the table with data.

To do this, use the command "View-table mode". Note! If the "Item code" field in your case is set to "Counter", then you do not need to fill in a specific field. When you finish the work on entering information, you can close it. If a particular database needs a second table, it is mounted with the command "Create-Table Designer".

Examples of bases

All of the above would be an empty sound without providing you with information from the "field experience" in which the Access databases were useful. Examples in this area can be discussed almost indefinitely, but we will focus on an option that can greatly facilitate the passage of the learning process.

Briefly describe the creation of a document on the curriculum. What will be included in it? This should include the following fields: specialty code, group number, subject and teachers. Note: the "Subject" and "Teacher" fields must be associated with additional tables, from which the program will draw the appropriate information.

How it's done?

First, perform all the actions, according to the above instructions. Go to the "Designer", start filling in the fields. In the line with the specialty code, the data type must be marked as "Counter, key field".

In the "Group" and similar lines, type the field as "Text". But in the fields "Subject" and "Teacher" you should choose the "Wizard of substitutions". Do not worry: immediately after selecting this value, the program will show you the dialog box. Following his instructions, you can create a link to other tables. As you know, they should be created in advance.

Once you click on the "Done" button, you will receive a warning that you need to save the table to create a link. Confirm this action.

Creating relationships between tables

We have already mentioned that working with the Access database assumes the existence of links between several spreadsheets at once. So how to create them?

To do this, open the document you need, then go to the "Work with databases - Data schema" path. To define and specify the nature of the connection, you must double-click the left mouse button in the "Change links" dialog box. After that, click on the "OK" button. As a result, you set the standard parameter "One to many".

So we discussed the question of how to create a database in Access. We hope that the information will be useful to you.