Microsoft Access 2007 Help

[web.office.admin]

Just wondering if anyone could give me some links to good Access 2007
Tutorials.
I have a good understanding of computers and most MS products, but I've
never really used Access or any database for that matter. I'm
attempting to build a Student database for a 12 month drug
rehabilitation program. I've found many sample databases online, but
with our unique environment, we require unique information. I would
like to build from scratch, but just need some help getting started and
getting familiar with the Access environment. Any suggestions???

Thanks,

CRS

 

[Allen Browne]

Okay, CRS, if this is your first database, I strongly suggest that you start
by downloading one of the sample databases, pulling it apart, understanding
how the data connnects, and then using that as a guideline for how to go
about it.

As you do, be especially on the lookout for how the data is connected, i.e.
the one-to-many relationships between the tables. The Relationships window
gives you an overview of this.

Microsoft has several templates you can download for Access 2007, e.g.:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT101428241033.aspx
Customer Service or Contacts might be worth trying.

If you want some links on the formal theory behind relational data
connections (called normalization), Jeff Conrad has a bunch of links here:
http://home.bendbroadband.com/conradsystems/accessjunkie/resources.html#DatabaseDesign101

Once you have the basic relations in place, you can think about the user
interface: forms and subforms. After that you can learn about using reports
for printouts, probably using queries to combine the data from several
tables. Macros will help you with some of the programming aspects, but
ultimately you might want to learn how to program in VBA also.

You will need to buy some good books or even attend some courses to master
these skills. In some ways, it's like building your own airplane in your
garage. There's some basic aeronautical principles to grasp, quite a bit of
desining to do, some construction techniques to master, and then lots of
testing before she finally flies.

These newsgroups are a good resource when you have understood the basic
principles, and you have a clear, specific issue you are struggling to
achieve.

Before you embark on this whole journey, it would be worth talking to other
rehab. centres to see if there is any software you could adapt to your
needs. Or perhaps you have already done that.

All the best for this project.

 

[web.office.admin]

All the best for this project.

Many thanks for extended guidance. I'm in strong agreement with taking
some courses. I'm looking into that starting tomorrow. As for the
links that you provided, thanks also, they have already came in handy.

Again, Thanks and God Bless

CRS