How to create a Database in MS Access
During my working experience, I’ve had the opportunity for developing and designing a few databases for my work unit. I think that databases are great for tracking, reporting and presentations purposes because they allow users to create and automate reports in a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
In order to create a database, first we will need to create a table with the information that we want to work with, the table contains columns and rows (as an excel sheet) that will assist users to input the data needed for the software.
Second, once we have created several tables with the information needed, we will need to create relationships in order to link tables together and also to ensure data integrity. This part can be complicated because there are different types of relationships that a user can apply in MS Access. The most common ones are “One to Many” and “Many to Many”, these two relationships allow users to relate data from different tables in order to link information together.
Third, create queries, this step is also a little complex because in order to create queries we need to know the structure of the database and what kind of data we would like to connect or show to users.
Finally, we will need to create forms; the forms that you create will need to look friendly to users. In other words, the form will need to look nice and simple so that users can find it attractive an easy to input data in the system.
You can also create reports, modules, macros, or even apply some codes through Visual Basis Studio. But that would need a little more that this blog to explain and understand this computer language. I have attached a Youtube Video that would help you to understand this in further.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLIn1UHkee0
October 5th, 2012 at 6:20 pm
I took Cis2200 last semester and I had to create a database. I remember it took me time to do it and the queries part was complicated. I wish I watched this video when I took the course.
October 6th, 2012 at 11:14 am
This was a good read. But I feel Oracle wins any given day when it comes to relational database because of its pros over MS Access. To start off Oracle is a supports multiple OS when compared to access which supports windows only. Here are some other key differences which I found while I was hovering over:
Oracle is a scalable enterprise database engine that supports from one to many (tens to hundreds of thousands) of simultaneous users. Access on the other hand is most commonly used as a single-user database but since the release of Access 97, can be augmented with Visual Basic code and can easily support 100+ simultaneous users (Top limit of 200 users). Oracle can support very large databases (Tens of Terabytes in size or larger), while Access is designed for much smaller databases in the 1 to 2 gigabyte size range. Oracle has a wide range of support features that can be used to monitor and tune database performance – Access is much more limited in its performance tuning capabilities.
October 8th, 2012 at 11:37 am
I agree with you Yameen, we cannot compare Oracle with MS Access in terms of functionality and practicality as software. However, I think for small companies or even for small units (5 to 6 people) MS Access ends out to be pretty handy and cost efficient.
October 9th, 2012 at 1:54 pm
You tell us quite a bit here but you don’t show us much. It would be very helpful to see the steps illustrated. The video is great but I don’t know that it’s you talking. Give us some images to help us understand all the steps.