Using Access with other db programs - DBIII, SPSS

[Flurry]

I work for a health organization and we have upgraded to
ACCESS after years of using various other db programs.
Is it possible for me to import a DBIII file into ACCESS
and then match it to another db file? If so, how? Also,
is there a good book on ACCESS which discusses this type
of question and good overall reference once you're past
the beginner stage? Thanks.

 

['69 Camaro]

Hi.

Is it possible for me to import a DBIII file into ACCESS
and then match it to another db file?

Yes. See "Supported data sources for importing, for exporting, and for
linking in a Microsoft Office Access 2003 database" on this Web page:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=826507

This Web page provides links to the same KB article for earlier versions of
Access, in case you don't have Access 2003.

If so, how?

Open Access and create a new database. Then select the File menu -> Get
External Data -> Import to open the Import dialog window. Select the "Files
of Type" combo box near the bottom of the dialog window and scroll down to
and select dBase III (*.dbf). Navigate to the appropriate directory and
select the name of the dBase III file, then select Import. The Import
Wizard will open, and you will then make your selections about what you want
to do with the imported table.

is there a good book on ACCESS which discusses this type
of question and good overall reference once you're past
the beginner stage?

I started out with the "Using Access 97 Special Edition" book, because it
gave detailed, step-by-step instructions with relevant screen shots. It was
easy to understand and gave lots of "why we do this" explanations along the
way, and even included a section on VBA. I compared it to the other books
for beginners on the market at the time, and this one presented the material
best for the way I like to learn. I suspect these books for future versions
of Access are designed the same way, although I haven't seen any of them.

Others may have different recommendations for beginners, though. For more
advanced users, most folks universally recommend the Access Developer's
Handbook. See the following Web page:

http://www.developershandbook.com

.... for more information and links to the Handbook's online chapters. For
the complete "Access Cookbook" book online, which was written by most of the
same authors, please see the "Free Programming Book Chapters" section for
the link on this Web page:

http://www.Access.QBuilt.com/html/links.html

HTH.

Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips.

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