Tutorials

Microsoft Access 2010 allows you to easily create professionally formatted reports automatically from information stored in a database. In tis tutorial, we're going to design a nicely-formatted listing of employee home telephone numbers for the use of management using the Northwind sample database and Access 2010.

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.

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.

Over time, Microsoft Access databases grow in size and unnecessarily use disk space. Additionally, repeated modifications to the database file may result in data corruption. Therefore, it's a good idea to periodically run the compact and repair database tool to ensure the consistency of your data.

Microsoft Access allows you to collect information from individuals and update your database automatically based upon their replies. Access includes a wizard designed to facilitate this task. In this tutorial, we walk through the process of populating an Access table with user-provided information.

There are many applications where you may wish to add a date/time stamp to each record, identifying the time that the record was added to the database. It’s easy to do this in Microsoft Access 2010 using the Now() function. In this tutorial, I explain the process step-by-step.

There are many applications where you may wish to add a date/time stamp to each record, identifying the time that the record was added to the database. It’s easy to do this in Microsoft Access using the Now() function. In this tutorial, I explain the process step-by-step.

Microsoft Access allows you to include attachments in database tables. You may store photos, graphics, documents and other files in your Access database using Microsoft's Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) technology. Database attachments are a new feature in Access 2007.

Access 2007 introduces the tabbed document format found in other Microsoft Office products. In some cases, you may wish to hide these tabs to change the look and feel of your database or more closely simulate the appearance of older versions of Access.

Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) offers a great method of sharing data across the Internet while preserving formatting. It's simple to generate these files from an Access database.

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-ste.

The Quick Access Toolbar provides you with immediate access to commonly used functions in Microsoft Access 2007. In this tutorial, we explore the process of adding your own favorite icons to the Quick Access toolbar, step-by-step.

Although Access provides a convenient spreadsheet-style datasheet view for entering data, it isn’t always an appropriate tool for every data entry situation. If you’re working with users you don’t want to expose to the inner workings of Access, you may choose to use Access forms to create a more user-friendly experience. In this tutorial, we’ll walk through the process of creating an Access form.

The true power of relational databases lies in their ability to track relationships (hence the name!) between data elements. However, many database users don’t understand how to take advantage of this functionality and simply use Access as an advanced spreadsheet. In this tutorial, we’ll walk through the process of creating a relationship between two tables in an Access database.

In an earlier article, we reviewed the process for creating an Access database from a template. While this is certainly an agreeable, easy approach to building a database, there isn’t always a template available that meets your needs. In this article, we review the process for creating an Access database from scratch.

Microsoft provides quite a few prebuilt database templates to assist you in jumpstarting your database development process. In this tutorial, we'll walk through the process of creating an Access database using these templates.

Password protecting an Access database allows you to protect your sensitive data from prying eyes. In this tutorial, we walk you through the process of encrypting your database and protecting with a password, step by step.

Have trouble remembering function names or arguments in Microsoft Access? We all do! Access' Expression Builder is a great tool that walks you through the process of creating expressions for your forms, tables, reports and queries while keeping a handy reference at your fingertips.

Access 2007 uses the ACCDB format by default. In this article, we walk you through the process of changing this default setting for newly created databases.

Access 2007 uses the ACCDB format by default. In this article, we walk you through the process of changing this default setting for newly created databases.

The ACCDB database format introduced in Access 2007 provides a number of enhanced features over the older MDB format. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of converting an MDB format database to the new ACCDB format.

The ACCDB database format introduced in Access 2007 provides a number of enhanced features over the older MDB format. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of converting an MDB format database to the new ACCDB format.

Are you ready to convert your unwieldy Excel spreadsheet to a flexible Access database? Let us walk you through the process!

Are you ready to convert your unwieldy Excel spreadsheet to a flexible Access database? Let us walk you through the process!

Report snapshots offer a portable format that can be used to view Access reports on systems that don't have Microsoft Access installed. It's available for most versions of Windows and allows you to share reports via e-mail, the web or automated processes.

Have trouble remembering function names or arguments in Microsoft Access? We all do! Access' Expression Builder is a great tool that walks you through the process of creating expressions for your forms, tables, reports and queries while keeping a handy reference at your fingertips.

One of the most common uses of a database is generating mass mailings. In this tutorial, we examine the process of creating mailing labels using Microsoft Access using the built-in Label Wizard. We begin with a database containing the address data and walk you step-by-step through the process of creating and printing your mailing labels.

One of the most common uses of a database is generating mass mailings. In this tutorial, we examine the process of creating mailing labels using Microsoft Access using the built-in Label Wizard. We begin with a database containing the address data and walk you step-by-step through the process of creating and printing your mailing labels.

Oftentimes, you wish to share data with users in your organization who may, in turn, wish to create their own forms and reports. While you may want them to have the ability to view and/or update your data, you may not wish them to modify the interface you use to work with the data yourself. Fortunately, Microsoft Access provides the ability to...

Oftentimes, you wish to share data with users in your organization who may, in turn, wish to create their own forms and reports. While you may want them to have the ability to view and/or update your data, you may not wish them to modify the interface you use to work with the data yourself. Fortunately, Microsoft Access provides the ability to split a database into front-end and back-end components. You can safely share data with other users while keeping your interface private.

Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) offers a great method of sharing data across the Internet while preserving formatting. It's simple to generate these files from an Access database.

I've often been asked "How do I create a backup of my Access database?" Until now, that's been a difficult question to answer. Prior to Access 2003, you would have to manually copy your Access .MDB files into a secure storage location. That's all changed with Access 2003. In this tutorial, we'll walk through the process of backing up your...

I've often been asked "How do I create a backup of my Access database?" Until now, that's been a difficult question to answer. Prior to Access 2003, you would have to manually copy your Access .MDB files into a secure storage location. That's all changed with Access 2003. In this tutorial, we'll walk through the process of backing up your...

If you’re a Microsoft Office power user, you might be familiar with the encryption features of Word, PowerPoint and Excel. These programs all allow file owners to easily apply encryption. Unfortunately, Microsoft Access doesn’t offer similar functionality, but it still has relatively powerful security functionality. In this article, we’ll take a look at Microsoft Access user-level security, a feature that lets you specify the level of access to grant each individual user of your database.

Due to its widespread availability and flexible functionality, Microsoft Access is arguably the most popular database software in use today. In this "How To", we explain the Access installation process in a straightforward manner.

Learn how to create a simple form in Microsoft Access. This tutorial walks you through the process step-by-step!

Want to design a Data Access Page using Access 2000? This step-by-step tutorial walks you through the process.

Want to create dynamic, server-generated HTML from your Access database? This step-by-step tutorial will walk you through the process.

Would you like to share your Access reports with the web? This step-by-step tutorial will walk you through the process.

Sample Excel Document

So, you'd like to learn more about Microsoft Access and you don't know where to begin. I've selected five of my favorite introductory-level Access books for your perusal. Follow the "Compare Prices" links for a competitive listing of prices at various web merchants.

In this series of Microsoft Access tutorials, we follow the database administrators for Patrick's Widgets as they build a Microsoft Access database from the ground up. Below you'll find the complete listing of tutorials in this series.

Do you have an unwieldy Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that you'd like to convert to an Access database? This illustrated tutorial walks you through the process, step-by-step.

Forms offer a quick and easy way to offer a graphical data environment to users of your database. Follow along as your About.com Guide to Databases creates a simple form in Microsoft Access.

Would you like to create professional-looking reports from your Microsoft Access database with the click of a mouse? Follow along as we walk through the simple process of designing a reusable report.

Microsoft Access offers a powerful query function that allows you to extract information from your database. In this tutorial your About.com Guide to Databases walks you through the creation of a simple query.

Do your web users need real-time access to the information contained within your database? Server-generated HTML might be just the solution you need.

Microsoft Access offers powerful relationship functionality. This step-by-step illustrated tutorial walks you through the relationship creation process.

Data Access Pages provide Microsoft Access 2000 users with a powerful tool for viewing and manipulating database information through the web.

Microsoft Access allows you to export data to a variety of formats for sharing and analysis. In this tutorial, we walk through the process of exporting an Access table to an Excel workbook.

Not sure if your organization needs a database? Your About.com Guide to Databases provides an overview of database concepts as well as the fundamental components of Microsoft Access.

Wondering how to convert an Access 2.0 database to Access 97 or Access 2000? Follow these easy steps!

The Northwind database contains some great sample tables, queries, reports and other database features. Here's how to install it.

Learn how to apply advanced techniques to refine your database queries. Your About.com Guide to Databases provides an introduction to adding and removing fields, adding query criteria and sorting your results.

Looking to share your Microsoft Access database with the world? Learn to publish reports to the web in this step-by-step tutorial.

Due to its widespread availability and flexible functionality, Microsoft Access is arguably the most popular database software in use today. In this "How To", we explain the Access installation process in a straightforward manner.

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.

Access 2010 uses the tabbed document format found in other Microsoft Office products. In some cases, you may wish to hide these tabs to change the look and feel of your database or more closely simulate the appearance of older versions of Access.

Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) offers a great method of sharing data across the Internet while preserving formatting. It's simple to generate these files from an Access database.

Although Access provides a convenient spreadsheet-style datasheet view for entering data, it isn’t always an appropriate tool for every data entry...

The true power of relational databases lies in their ability to track relationships (hence the name!) between data elements. However, many database users don’t understand how to take advantage of this functionality and simply use Access as an advanced spreadsheet. In this tutorial, we’ll walk through the process of creating a relationship...

In an earlier article, we reviewed the process for creating an Access database from a template. While this is certainly an agreeable, easy approach to building a database, there isn’t always a template available that meets your needs. In this article, we review the process for creating an Access database from scratch.

Microsoft provides quite a few prebuilt database templates to assist you in jumpstarting your database development process. In this tutorial, we'll walk through the process of creating an Access database using these templates.

Password protecting an Access database allows you to protect your sensitive data from prying eyes. In this tutorial, we walk you through the process of encrypting your database and protecting with a password, step by step.

Is your Access database growing too large or unwieldy? Perhaps you need to allow more robust multiuser access to the database? Converting your Access database to Microsoft SQL Server might be the solution you’re trying to find. Fortunately, Microsoft provides an Upsizing Wizard in Access that makes it easy to convert your database. In this...

Have you ever wanted to combine information from multiple tables in your database in an efficient manner? Microsoft Access 2010 offers a powerful query function with an easy-to-learn interface that makes it a snap to extract exactly the information you need from your database. In this tutorial we'll explore the creation of a simple query.