Learn Access Now!      Chapter 1

Welcome to Learn Access Now, a full-length book available online. Even though Learn Access Now is designed to specifically teach beginners how to use Microsoft Access, even longtime users of the program can learn a thing or two.

In order to meet the needs of the largest audience, Learn Access Now uses examples that work with Microsoft Access 2000. The techniques and the concepts covered, however, will work with all recent versions of Microsoft Access, up through Access 2003.

To use Learn Access Now, just pick a chapter from the Table of Contents below and click on the section you want to read. You can then progress from section to section, learning just the information you need.

Enjoy!

1. Getting Started with Access

Access Terminology
Using the Access Environment
Looking at Possibilities
Exiting Access
Summary

2. Access in an Hour

Creating Your Own Database
Creating a Table
Entering Information in Your Table
Changing Information in Your Table
Deleting Records
Saving Your Information
Summary

3. Taking a Closer Look

Modifying Your Table Design
Editing At a Table Level
Summary

4. Creating Another Database

A Brand New Database
Creating a Table From Scratch
Testing Your Layout
Summary

5. Sorting and Filtering Information

Sorting Your Data
Filtering Your Data
Summary

6. Using Queries to Examine Your Data

Understanding Queries
Using the Query Wizards
Designing Your Own Queries
Summary

7. Printing Your Table

Printing a Table
Controlling the Printed Page
Printing Your Layout
Using Print Preview
Summary

8. Creating Simple Reports

What is a Report?
Creating a Report
Using Other Report Wizards
Creating Mailing Labels
Summary

9. Creating Custom Forms

Understanding Forms
Creating a Form Using the Form Wizards
Defining Your Own Forms
Summary

10. Using Additional Tools

Using the Spell Checker
Using AutoCorrect
Analyzing a Table
Improving Table Performance
Summary

11. Using Your Data with Word and Excel

Why Use Other Programs with Access?
Sharing Data with Word
Sharing Data with Excel
Summary

12. Using Web Features

What is the Web?
Using Hyperlinks
Creating Web Pages
Summary

13. Understanding Data Relationships

Understanding Data Relationships
Establishing Relationships
Summary

14. Creating Complex Reports

Creating a New Report
Understanding the Design Window
Designing Your Report
Summary

15. Importing and Exporting Information

Using Information from Other Databases
Preparing Information for Other Databases
Summary

16. Ensuring Data Security

Setting a Database Password
Using Database Encryption
Working with Users and Groups
Using the User-Level Security Wizard
Opening a Secured Database
Managing Security Accounts
Summary

17. Using OLE

What is OLE?
Putting Objects in Your Table
Modifying Links
Editing Objects
Summary

18. Creating and Using Macros

What Are Macros?
Creating Macros
Conditional Macros
Running Macros
Editing Your Macros
Summary

19. Working with Dialog Boxes and Menus

Adding Dialog Boxes
Adding Menus
Summary

20. Using Visual Basic for Applications

What is Visual Basic for Applications?
Parts of a Program
Creating a VBA Module
Testing Your Procedure
Attaching Your Procedure to a Form
Summary

21. Putting It All Together

Database Design
Forms in the Database
Queries in the Database
Reports in the Database
VBA Procedures
Improvements You Could Make
Summary