Note: This tutorial is also available in a single file version with the entire tutorial as one long web page.

Table of Contents

• 1 Introduction to the MS Access Tutorial
  • 1.1 Intended Audience
  • 1.2 Pre-Requisite Knowledge
• 2 Brief overview of Relational Databases and Database Applications
• 3 A Business Example
• 4 Starting Microsoft Access
  • 4.1 Review of Starting Microsoft Access
• 5 Creating and Viewing Tables
  • 5.1 Creating a Table Using the Design View
  • 5.2 Exercise: Creating a Table
  • 5.3 Viewing and Adding Data to a Table
  • 5.4 Exercise: Adding Data to a Table
  • 5.5 Review of Creating and Viewing Tables
• 6 Creating and Running Queries
  • 6.1 Single Table Queries
  • 6.2 Exercise: Single Table Queries
  • 6.3 Review of Creating and Running Queries
• 7 Creating and Running a Data Entry Form
  • 7.1 Creating a Single Table Form using the Wizard
  • 7.2 Exercise: Creating a Single Table Form
  • 7.3 Review of Creating and Running a Data Entry Form
• 8 Creating and Running a Report
  • 8.1 Creating a Single Table Report using the wizard
  • 8.2 Exercise: Creating a Single Table Report
  • 8.3 Review of Creating and Running a Report
• 9 Summary

1 Introduction to the MS Access Tutorial

It is assumed that users of this tutorial are proficient in working with Microsoft Windows '95, Windows '98, Windows NT or Windows 2000 and with MS Excel. This includes the use of the keyboard and mouse. The tutorial is based on Microsoft Access which is part of the Microsoft Office Professional suite that also includes MS Excel, MS Word and MS Powerpoint.

The original tutorial was developed specifically for MS Access '97 (part of the MS Office '97 release). Now that MS Access 2000 is widely available, this tutorial has been ammended to include explanations of where Access '97 and Access 2000 differ. Most of the basic features and functions are the same between the two versions.

The tutorial begins with a brief overview of Relational Databases. The majority of database management systems in use today are based on what is called the relational database model. Access is a relational database management system. We then describe a business example and give an outline for the database and applications we wish to develop. In the sections that follow, we give step-by-step instructions for creating the tables, data entry forms, reports and queries for the application.

1.1 Intended Audience

1.2 Pre-Requisite Knowledge

• Use of the mouse and keyboard
• Formatting and working with floppy disks
• Opening and saving files on the hard disk and on floppy disks
• Managing files in general including the difference between floppy disks, drive letters, hard disk, etc.
• Running programs from the Windows Start menu
• Minimizing, maximizing and resizing windows

The student should have a new, formatted floppy disk placed in the A: drive of the PC. This tutorial assumes the floppy disk used is the A: drive. If the student wishes to use another drive (such B: or C:) then simply substitute the desired drive letter accordingly.

All products or company names in this tutorial are used for identification purposes only, and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

All names and information used as examples in this tutorial are fictitious.