Office 2010 – Access

Part 10 – Access 2010

Access 2010, like its predecessors, (though its official name is Microsoft Office Access) is a database management system. A ‘smart ass’ way to define a database would be “A collection of predicates over a finite set of predicate variables, describing constraints on the possible values and combinations of values”, which to me sounds like a table or chart connected to other tables/charts/lists.

The database model on which Access is based is called the ‘Relational model’. Other database models include Hierarchical, Network and Object-orientated.

Types of Databases

• Operational
• Analytical
• Data Warehouse
• Distributed
• End-User
• External
• Hypermedia

The list of uses for a database are endless, there isn’t an aspect of computer software applications that doesn’t at some point refer to them, it being to most appropriate method of storing, coordinating and accessing large amounts of data.

Access 14, like Excel deserves a book and not a blog entry, but for that I will need to see closer to the release date if it is plausible. For now an overview and later, like Excel, some practical exercises.

The Overview

This is how the main window looks when a database is opened in Datasheet View

The Tabs/Groups on the Ribbon are:

Home:

• Views
• Clipboard
• Sort & Filter
• Records
• Find
• Window
• Text Formatting

Create:

• Templates
• Tables
• Forms
• Reports
• Other

External Data:

• Import
• Export
• Collect Data

Modify Fields:

• Views
• Fields & Columns
• Formatting
• Properties
• Validation
• Table Logic

The Design Tab is only available in Design View

Design:

• Views
• Tools
• Show/Hide
• Field, Record & Table Events
• Relationships

The Office (Access) Button

Info

Recent

New

Print

Share

Access Options

Options

General:

General options for working with Access.

• User Interface options
• Creating databases
• Personalise your copy of Microsoft Office

Current Database:

Options for the current database.

• Application Options
• Navigation
• Ribbon and Tool Options
• Name AutoCorrect Options
• Filter lookup options for
• Caching Web Service and SharePoint tables

Datasheet:

Customise the way datasheets look in Access.

• Gridlines and cell effects
• Default font

Object Designers:

Customise the options for creating and modifying database objects in Access.

• Table design
• Query design
• Forms/Reports
• Error checking

Proofing:

Change how Access automatically corrects and formats the contents of your databases, and how it indicates the errors that if finds.

• AutoCorrect options
• When correcting spelling in Microsoft Office programs
• Custom Dictionaries

Language:

Set the Office Language Preferences.

• Choose editing languages
• Choose display and Help languages

Advanced:

Advanced customisation options for Access.

• Editing
• Display
• Printing
• General
• Advanced
• Default theme

Customise Ribbon:

Customise the Ribbon.

• Choose commands from:
• Customise the Ribbon:
• New Tab
• New Group
• Rename
• Restore Defaults
• Import/Export

Quick Access Toolbar:

Customise the Quick Access Toolbar.

• Choose commands from:
• Customise Quick Access Toolbar:
• Restore Defaults
• Import/Export

Add-Ins:

View and manage Microsoft Office add-ins.

• Add-ins

Trust Center:

Help keep your documents safe and your computer secure and healthy.

• Protecting your privacy
• Secure & more
• Microsoft Office Access Trust Center
• Trust Center Settings

Access the movie (youtube video)

Next, Access continued...