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1. Introduction to the user interface. Microsoft Access Course. Course Objectives. Introduction to main features of Access Elements of Access IDE Simple design of tables, queries, forms and reports Development of small application. Main features of Access. Designed for
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1. Introduction to the user interface Microsoft Access Course
Course Objectives Introduction to main features of Access Elements of Access IDE Simple design of tables, queries, forms and reports Development of small application
Main features of Access Designed for advanced ‘end-user’ small system database applications rapid prototyping front-end client server applications
Main features of Access(cont) Features: extensive point and click facilities object-based construction fully-featured DB engine technology suitable for multi-user applications Underlying VBA language for advanced capability ODBC, DAO and ADO support for inter-system communication
Overview of Access IDE • Main database window • Shows available tools for database design • Each element has options–Open (or Run)DesignNew
Overview of Access IDE (cont) Querydesigner QBE grid: columns, conditions SQL view: QBE equivalence Query execution Query storage - relational ‘view’ • Table designer • Defines database schema • Defines attributes, data types, type qualifiers, validation, indexes
Overview of Access IDE (cont) Forms Used to develop the users’ interface to application Enables viewing of data from tables or queries Form built from screen objects (text boxes, labels, buttons) called ‘controls’ Extensive presentation facilities Main focus of application development
Overview of Access IDE (cont) Reports Used for printed reports only Extensive facilities for grouping sub-totaling etc. Macros Facility for script-like commands Principally intended for non-programming users Not essential - macro actions can be implemented in VBA
Overview of Access IDE (cont) Modules Repository for ‘global’ modules Most modules are part of form or report - called ‘class modules’ - scope local to form/report Global modules accessible by any form/report
Table Design 1 Design and datasheet modes Each table column defined by name and type Optional formatting, validation, indexing
Access Table Design Dialogue Datasheet view Table design screen
Table Design 2 Field names: Use letters and numbers and underscores Spaces allowed but creates more work later Capitalised format popular: CustOrderNo
Table Design 3 Main Data types: Text - for character information Number - various formats - see next slide Date - various formats Currency Autonumber - generates unique sequence number in long integer format Yes/No - boolean
Table Design 4 Number types - set by Field Size Byte - 8 bit positive Integer - 16 bit Long Integer - 32 bit Single - 4 byte floating point Double - 8 byte floating point
Table Design 5 Date data-type Permits various display formats Best choice: Medium date - 12-Nov-01 Currency Stored as double float Displayed as fixed point with 2 decimals
Query Design - dialogue Design Choices: Design view: ‘hand knit’ your query Simple Query Wizard: allows selection of tables and columns but no more. Others are special cases and rarely required. Saved queries Working queries can be saved Saves queries can be used as source of forms and reports
Query Design interface Design view Datasheet (execute) view SQL view
Form Design - new form choices Form design options Design View: ‘hand knit’ your form. Needed for menu forms and other special purposes. Form Wizard: select input tables/queries and columns. Necessary join queries automatically created. AutoformColumnar: creates form with all columns arranged vertically, one row per page. Autoform Tabular: creates form with all columns arranged horizontally, multiple rows per page. Autoform Datasheet: creates a form using basic table display format.
Form display formats Tabular, continuous form * Columnar, single form * * controlled by form Default View property
Forms: Design and Form Views Form view shows execution of form Design view - note ‘City’ selected for amendment. Note header and footer sections, unused in this example.
Report Design - choices Report design options Design view: ‘hand knit’ your own layout - definitely not recommended. Report Wizard: powerful tool allows selection of source tables/queries and fields and constructs complex structured reports. AutoReport: produces basic reports using all fields of source tables/queries. Label Wizard: facilitates generation of label printout.
Report Design Access only produces printed reports. The preview screen shows only one page of the output. Preview Design View