In generic terms, a database stores a collection of information. Access databases are composed of tables, queries, forms, reports, data access pages, macros, and modules. Each table within a database should contain information about a particular subject. You use queries to extract specific information from one or more tables. The forms, reports, and data access pages provide a means of displaying your data. Finally, macros and modules allow you to build an integrated application.Chapter 1 entitled "How Do I Get Started Developing an Access Application?" covers these initial steps. After you have a design document in place, you are ready to build the Access database. You can complete this process either using a wizard, or by building the database yourself from the ground up. The text that follows covers both of these options.
You can use the Database Wizard to create a new database based on a template (setting up a Customer database, for example). You can select options provided by the Wizard to make the database suit your specific needs. After you have completed the process of running the wizard, you can then modify the design of all of the objects that the wizard creates. To create a new database using a wizard, follow these steps:
Select File, New.
Select On My Computer below Templates from the list of options on the right-hand side of the screen (see Figure 2.1). The Templates dialog appears.
Click the Databases tab (see Figure 2.2).
Double-click the desired template (for example, Contact Management).
Type the filename and location for the new database.
Click the Create button. The Database Wizard appears.
Click Next. The wizard prompts you with a list of selected tables and fields (see Figure 2.3).
Scroll down to view the list of optional fields for each table (see Figure 2.4).
Click to include the desired optional fields.
Click Next to continue.
Select a style for the forms and click Next.
Select a style for the reports and click Next.
Select a title for the database, and an optional picture that Access includes on your reports. Click Next.
Click Finish to complete the process. The resulting application switchboard appears as in Figure 2.5.
Press F11 to view the Database window.
Click Tables in the list of objects. Notice the tables that the wizard added to the database (see Figure 2.6).
Click to view the other types of objects that the Database Wizard created.
The database the wizard creates contains a switchboard that will allow you to very easily add data to tables, view the data entered, and run reports. After the wizard is complete, it is up to you to add new objects, and to customize the existing objects to your liking.
When none of the available databases that the Wizard creates gives you what you need, you will have to create your own database. To create a new database from scratch, follow these steps:
Choose File, New.
Select Blank Database from the list of options on the right-hand side of the screen.
Select a drive and/or folder where you will place the database.
Type a filename for the database.
Click the Create button.
Access creates a new blank database.
Database filenames have the following rules: