We've added information and examples of three new functions to our Microsoft Access Function Library. Check out the new pages on:

• IsArray()
• IsDate()
• IsEmpty()

You can use SQL JOIN statements to combine data from three or more tables. In an earlier article, we took a look at using inner joins and outer joins to combine data from two different tables. In many cases, you’ll want to take this a step further and combine data from three or more tables. In Joining Multiple Tables with SQL Inner Join Statements, we look at the SQL statements that allow you to accomplish this goal for an inner join.

Read the full article: Joining Multiple Tables with SQL Inner Join Statements

It’s often necessary to convert data stored in an Access database to another form, such as an Excel workbook. You may wish to take advantage of some of Excel’s unique analytical capabilities or simply share data with someone unfamiliar with Access. Whatever the reason, the conversion process is fairly straightforward and quick.

Read the full article: Export Data from Microsoft Access 2007 to Microsoft Excel

In a recent forum message, Russ wrote:

"I have been a professional Wrestling fan for many years and over that time collected thousands and thousands of wrestling matches which I'm in the process of converting to DVD. I have always kept a good record of my collection starting with pen and paper lists and in the last few years using tables in Microsoft Word.

I would now like to set up a database where I can locate and sort through the matches a little better than my current system. Basically, I would like something that sorts the wrestler, their opponent, their partner (if appropriate) and the date of the match. Other things on the database that I would like but are not crucial are the company, aliases/names, managers, events, and probably a few other things that I can't think of right now.

Can anyone please help me out with this one or does anyone know of someone who has already created their own wrestling database? I do not need the data base to be available over the Internet."

Can you help Russ? Interested in solutions to the same problem? Join the discussion in our forum!

Backing up your Microsoft Access databases is an important part of protecting your critical data. In this tutorial, we walk through the process of backing up an Access database, step-by-step.

Read the full article: How to Back Up a Microsoft Access Database.

If you've been working with databases for a while, chances are you've heard the term normalization. Perhaps someone's asked you "Is that database normalized?" or "Is that in BCNF?" All too often, the reply is "Uh, yeah." Normalization is often brushed aside as a luxury that only academics have time for. However, knowing the principles of normalization and applying them to your daily database design tasks really isn't all that complicated and it could drastically improve the performance of your DBMS.

In this article, we introduce the concept of normalization and take a brief look at the most common normal forms.

Read the full Database Normalization Basics article for more!

In a recent forum message, dmcv wrote:

"I have converted from Access 2003 to 2007. I have forms that have been successfully used since Access 97. In Access 2007 I cannot use the navigation buttons that I have built into the form. Why not? I have tried creating a new form in 2007 and placed buttons in that but they do not work. Something somewhere needs ticking, zeroing or nulling. Is it a Vista set up problem?"

Can you help? Interested in solutions to the same problem? Join the discussion in our forum!

SQL Server allows you to automatically notify database administrators when unusual circumstances occur. This powerful alerting mechanism enables 24-hour monitoring of your database performance without staffing a 24-hour operations center.

Read the tutorial: Creating Alerts with SQL Server Agent

A recent CNN/CareerBuilder.com story highlighted database administration as one of the most promising career fields for new graduates. Their study showed that the DBA field is growing extremely quickly, despite our current economic troubles. There were 119,000 DBAs employed in the United States in 2006, a number that is expected to increase 29% to 154,000 by 2016.

Sound good to you? Read Getting Started in a Database Career for more information!

Did you know that you can view and edit the SQL statements that drive every Microsoft Access database query? In this article, we take a look at the process of accessing the underlying SQL code and tweaking it to perfect Access queries.

Read the full article: Viewing and Editing SQL Queries in Microsoft Access