Microsoft Access Tutorial -- Video Tutorials

The links below will open tutorials that you can follow to learn MS Access.

BC Schools Access Tutorial

Just as a picture is worth a thousand words, a video tutorial can be the most useful.

MS Access Top Tips - Takeaways From Microsoft Access Advanced Training

Of all the Microsoft products, Access is the one that most often requires outside training. It's not hard to understand typing text into Word or plugging numbers into Excel, but even experienced computer professionals require Access training.

Often it is not enough to take an introductory course. For most users of Microsoft Access, advanced training is mandatory and even that is no substitute for experience. Here are a few tips that even many experienced users don't know.

Database Design

Simply sitting down and planning their applications on paper before ever touching the computer could solve most of the problems people have when designing databases. Designing a large project on they fly while sitting at the keyboard is doomed to fail. You may spend hours trying to fix problems that ten minutes of planning could have avoided.

Never work on the production database. Work on a separate copy, the prototype, so that when you make a critical error (and we all do) you don't destroy all of the company's information. Only once the prototype is finished and well tested should it be put out live to other users. Some other pearls of wisdom from Microsoft Access advanced training to remember are to clearly understand all of your fields and relationships, choose naming convention for all elements and stick to them, never set up a database where users can edit fields directly, and always use forms.

Code Writing

Microsoft Access advanced training is where people learn to write SQL and VBA code. This gives them the ability to create powerful databases. It also gives them the ability to really mess things up. Document all code with comments. Don't document outside the application since those documents will inevitably be lost. Never write code with the idea that other developers or users will be able to come to you and ask what the code does. You may no longer be available, have moved on from a job or department, or just not have the time to explain.

Look at other people's code for inspiration. You can even use the code in your application if the author's usage guidelines allow it. Before using it, understand how it works. You will learn how to code better in the future and you will avoid unpleasant surprises.

Write custom error handlers so the users don't get unintelligible error message that will just confuse and frustrate them. Additionally, don't use SendKeys, Smart Codes, or GoTo. Very skilled database programmers may be able to make exceptions to this rule, but usually they just lead to bad code and future problems.

The Most Important Rule of All

You probably learned this in Microsoft Access advanced training. You may have learned it in introductory training and will most likely learn it again in the future. You may have even learned it the hard way when all of your data disappeared. It is the rule that even people who know better frequently violate: Keep regular backups!

Back up not only the production database but any prototypes you are working on. Backup your databases often and occasionally restore the backups to ensure they are working properly.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on microsoft access advanced training, please visit http://www.microsofttraining.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Harrell

Quick MS Access Training - Creating Custom Database Tables in 12 Simple Steps

By Aaron Leslie

Microsoft Access comes pre-loaded with several database templates that you can use to create contact databases, inventory control databases, expense databases, and many others. Each of these pre-made templates can be up and running in minutes, with absolutely no MS Access training.

Each database created with one of these wizards is comprised of a series of tables that includes different fields such as name, address, etc. However, chances are that your company will need custom fields in the tables to organize all of your information.

You may want to consider taking a one or two-day MS Access training course to learn how to really become a whiz with this amazing database program. However, this quick MS Access training article will teach you how to personalize your database with additional tables in just 12 easy steps.

Why not just add fields to existing tables?

As you'll learn in more advanced MS Access training courses, with relational databases, it's better to create specific tables for each type of information such as "employee information" or "customer order information" rather than just adding a bunch of unrelated fields to one table.

Let's get started!

1. Open Microsoft Access and click the 'New' icon and select "Blank Database" from the left-hand side of the screen.

2. Name your file and save it in the appropriate folder.

3. A database window will appear inside of Microsoft Access. Click the "New" icon inside of this window to display the "New Table" dialogue box.

4. Double click the table wizard and spend a few moments browsing through the table categories.

5. Leave the radio button dial set to "business," select "customers" from the sample tables list.

6. Select the fields that you'd like to include in your customer database by selecting the name of the field and then clicking the button to move it into your new custom table.

7. If you'd like to add a field that is not in the list, bring one field over that you do NOT want in your final table by clicking the button. Next, highlight the field that you do not want and click the "rename field" button to rename the field.

8. Leave "customers" as the table name and select the option, "No, I'll set the primary key." Click next.

9. Select the option "Numbers I enter when I add new records" and click next.

10. Leave the default selection "Enter data directly into the table" and click finish.

11. A new table will appear with all of your fields. Take a look at the different categories and then close the table by clicking the red "x" in the top right corner.

12. You should be looking at the dialogue box you started with again.

You've just added a new custom table to your database! If you've never tried Access before, you may be surprised by how simple it is to create databases and tables. It's easy to create and use simple databases without MS Access training, but to create more elaborate relational databases; you may want to spend a few days in a classroom training course.

Many people say they feel threatened by Access - but don't! With the right instruction in an MS Access training course, you'll be surprised at how simple it is to create useful databases that will drastically simplify your business process.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on MS Access training, visit http://www.MicrosoftTraining.net/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaron_Leslie

Microsoft Access Tutorial Video Tutorials

MS Access Top Tips - Takeaways From Microsoft Access Advanced Training

Quick MS Access Training - Creating Custom Database Tables in 12 Simple Steps

Microsoft Access Tutorial
Video Tutorials