Synopses & Reviews
Using Microsoft Access 2010 is a customized, media-rich learning experience designed to help new users master Microsoft Access 2010 system quickly, and get the most out of it, fast! It starts with a concise, friendly, straight-to-the-point guide to Microsoft Access 2010 by Alison Balter, who as been programming, teaching, and writing about Access for 14 years. This exceptional book is fully integrated with an unprecedented collection of online learning resources: online video, screencasts, podcasts, and additional web content, all designed to reinforce key concepts and help you achieve real mastery. The book and online content work together to teach everything mainstream Microsoft Access 2010 users need to know. This practical, approachable coverage guides you through all facets of working with Access 2010, and adds new chapters on the new Quick Start Fields, Auto Complete, Quick Info, and QuickTip. New coverage also includes: Application Parts and Navigation Forms; conditional formatting and data bars in reports; and new web database publishing techniques.
Practical, approachable coverage that completely flattens the Microsoft Access 2010 learning curve Tightly integrated with online video, screencast tutorials, podcasts, and more: the total learning experience for new Microsoft Access 2010 users Experienced author and trainer Alison Balter acts as the users personal instructor, sharing her tips and tricks along the waySynopsis
A customized, media-rich learning experience designed to help new users master Microsoft Access 2010 system quickly, this book is fully integrated with a collection of online learning resources: online video, screencasts, podcasts, and additional Web content.
Synopsis
Get comfortable with Access 2010. Don’t just read about it: see it, hear it, with step-by-step video tutorials and valuable audio sidebars delivered through the Free Web Edition that comes with every USING book. For the price of the book you get online access anywhere with a web connection--no books to carry, updated content, and the benefit of video and audio learning. Way more than just a book, this is all the help you’ll ever need...where you want, when you want!
Learn fast, learn easy, using web, video, and audio:
- Show Me video walks through tasks you’ve just got to see--including bonus advanced techniques
- Tell Me More audio delivers practical insights straight from the experts
Audio sidebars featuring Ross Pimentel
UNLOCK THE FREE WEB EDITION--To register your USING book, visit quepublishing.com/using.
About the Author
Alison Balter is the president of InfoTech Services Group, Inc., a computer consulting firm based in Newbury Park, California. Alison is a highly experienced independent trainer and consultant specializing in Windows applications training and development. During her 25 years in the computer industry, she has trained and consulted with many corporations and government agencies. Since Alison founded InfoTech Services Group, Inc. (formerly Marina Consulting Group) in 1990, its client base has expanded to include major corporations and government agencies such as Cisco, Shell Oil, Accenture, Northrop, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Prudential Insurance, Transamerica Insurance, Fox Broadcasting, the U.S. Navy, and others.
Alison is the author of more than 300 internationally marketed computer training videos and CD-ROMs, including 18 Access 2000 videos, 35 Access 2002 videos, 15 Access 2003 videos, 14 Access 2007 User Videos, and 18 Access 2007 Developer Videos. Alison travels throughout North America giving training seminars on Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, and Visual Basic for Applications. She is also featured in several live satellite television broadcasts for National Technological University.
Alison is also author of 13 books published by Sams Publishing: Alison Balter’s Mastering Access 95 Development, Al ison Balter’s Mastering Access 97 Development, Alison Balter’s Mastering Access 2000 Development, Alison Balter’s Mastering Access 2002 Desktop Development, Alison Balter’s Mastering Access 2002 Enterprise Development, Alison Balter’s Mastering Microsoft Access Office 2003, Teach Yourself Microsoft Office Access 2003 in 24 Hours, Access Office 2003 in a Snap, Alison Balter’s Mastering Access 2007 Development, three e-books on Microsoft Access 2007, and Teach Yourself SQL Express 2005 in 24 Hours. Alison is a co-author of three Access books published by Sams Publishing: Essential Access 95, Access 95 Unleashed, and Access 97 Unleashed.
An active participant in many user groups and other organizations, Alison is a past president of the Independent Computer Consultants Association of Los Angeles and of the Los Angeles Clipper Users’ Group. She served as president of the Ventura County Professional Women’s Network for two years.
Alison’s firm, InfoTech Services Group, Inc., is available for consulting work and onsite training in Microsoft Access, Visual Studio .NET, and SQL Server, as well as for Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows Vista, Windows XP, PC networking, and Microsoft Exchange Server.
Table of Contents
Introduction xviii
1 Manipulating Data with Databases and Tables 1
What Is a Relational Database? 1
A Preview of the Database Components 1
What Types of Things Can I Do with Microsoft Access? 12
Working with an Existing Database 16
Working with Table Data 18
Editing Table Data 21
Adding Records to a Table 23
Deleting Records 24
Filtering Table Data 30
2 Using Queries to Retrieve the Data You Need 32
What Is a Query and When Should You Use One? 32
Opening a Query 32
Adding and Removing Fields 35
Modifying the Sort Order of a Query 37
Working with Simple Criteria 40
Modifying the Datasheet View of a Query 52
Saving a Query 52
Printing Query Results 53
Closing a Query 54
Designing a Query Based on Multiple Tables 55
3 Using Forms to Enter and Edit Table Data 57
Opening an Existing Form 57
Working with Data in a Form 57
Sorting Records 69
Filtering the Data Underlying a Form 69
Viewing the Design of a Form 72
Closing a Form 72
The AutoForm Feature 73
Using the Form Wizard to Build a Form 75
Using the Conditional Formatting Feature of a Form 78
4 Using Reports to Print Information 80
Opening and Viewing a Report 80
Printing a Report 83
The AutoReport Feature and the Report Wizard 85
Closing a Report 89
Viewing the Design of a Report 89
5 Creating Your Own Databases and Tables 92
Types of Databases Available 92
Creating a New Database 92
Building a New Table 94
Selecting the Appropriate Field Type for Data 99
Using Indexes to Improve Performance 04
The All-Important Primary Key 106
Working with Field Properties 107
6 Relating the Information in Your Database 118
Introduction to Relational Database Design 118
The Types of Relationships 125
Establishing Relationships in Access 127
Establishing Referential Integrity 131
7 Enhancing the Queries That You Build 137
Everything You Need to Know About Query Basics 137
Ordering Query Results 143
Refining a Query by Using Criteria 144
Updating Query Results 147
Building Queries Based on Multiple Tables 148
Creating Calculated Fields 153
Getting Help from the Expression Builder 155
Creating and Running Parameter Queries 157
Creating and Running Action Queries 158
Using Aggregate Functions to Summarize Numeric Data 167
Creating Totals Queries 169
Working with Outer Joins 171
8 Building Powerful Forms 174
Power Control Techniques 174
Conditional Formatting 185
Form Properties and Why Should You Use Them 186
Control Properties and Why to Use Them 192
Working with Combo Boxes 201
The Command Button Wizard: Programming Without Typing 206
Building Forms Based on More Than One Table 208
9 Building Powerful Reports 214
The Anatomy of a Report 214
Control Properties and Why to Use Them 216
Building Reports Based on More Than One Table 223
Working with Sorting and Grouping 232
Report Properties and Why to Use Them 237
Basing Reports on Stored Queries or Embedded SQL Statements 242
10 Automating Your Database with Macros 244
Learning the Basics of Creating and Running a Macro 244
Running an Access Macro . 254
Modifying an Existing Macro 257
Creating an Embedded Macro 259
Creating Data Macros 262
Creating a Drillthrough Macro 265
Other New Features Available in Macros 268
Testing a Macro 269
Determining When You Should Use Macros and When You Shouldn’t 271
Converting a Macro to VBA Code 271
Creating an AutoExec Macro 273
11 Sharing Data with Other Applications 275
What Is External Data? 275
Importing, Linking, and Opening Files: When and Why 276
Exporting to Another Access Database 278
Exporting to an Excel Spreadsheet 280
Exporting to ASCII 282
Importing from Another Access Database 285
Importing Spreadsheet Data 289
Importing ASCII Data 293
Linking to Tables in Another Access Database 296
Linking to Another Type of Database 298
The Linked Table Manager 307
12 Working with Web Databases 309
Working with Web Databases 309
Creating a Blank Web Database 310
Creating Publishable Objects 312
Publishing Your Database to Access Services 318
Viewing Your Application in a Browser 321
Index 323