Introduction to Access

Chapter 13 pages 1-4

What is a database???

Related information is stored in databasesAll SC student information is stored in a student

data base called eSchool

A single piece of information is called data Can be text (name), number (grades), photos,

(ID pics), e-mail addresses, and other things

Access is a database programCan create tables, queries, forms and reports

Page 13-1

Purpose of a database

Store related dataOrganize, sort and retrieve data

Grades can be sorted and retrieved

Parts of a Database

QueriesForms

Tables

Reports

We will start with Tables

Parts of a Table

Fields – how a table is organizedStores data

**In a good database a field stores 1 piece of data

Primary Key – a field that can hold only unique data

Records – a group of related fields

page 3-4

Field Names should be

Descriptive Unique (but understandable)Short (but understandable)Use complete wordsAvoid symbols

Good field names:

• Firstname

• Lastname

Bad field names:

• Name

• Phone #

Field Types

Text field – store (letters, symbols, words, numbers or combinations)

Number field – stores ONLY numbersDate/time fields – stores date OR timeCurrency fields – stores dollar amountsMemo fields – stores multiple lines of text**AutoNumber – automatic number

generated by Access.

Field Format 13-3

Determines how data is displayedGeneral numberFixedPercentStandardData/time

Review the Vocabulary

Database DataAccessTableFieldField nameField type

TableRecordPrimary key