Wiley Access 2007 For Dummies 978-0-470-04612-8 User Manual
Product codes
978-0-470-04612-8
Chapter 1
Getting to Know Access 2007
In This Chapter
Deciding when to use Access
Unlocking the basics of working with Access
Figuring out how to get started
A
ccess 2007, the most recent version of Microsoft Office’s database appli-
cation, is a very robust and powerful program. You probably already
cation, is a very robust and powerful program. You probably already
know that, and perhaps that power, or your perceptions of all that Access can
do, is what made you reach for this book. Good decision!
do, is what made you reach for this book. Good decision!
For all of Access’s power, it’s important to note that Access is also very —
pardon the expression — accessible. It’s pretty easy to use at the edges,
where a new user will be; you don’t have to venture all the way in to its core
to get quite a lot out of the software. In fact, with just the basic functionality
that you’ll discover in this book, you’ll be able to put Access through many
of its most important paces, yet you’ll be working with wizards and other
on-screen tools that keep you at a comfortable arm’s distance from the soft-
ware’s inner workings, the things that programmers and serious developers
play with.
pardon the expression — accessible. It’s pretty easy to use at the edges,
where a new user will be; you don’t have to venture all the way in to its core
to get quite a lot out of the software. In fact, with just the basic functionality
that you’ll discover in this book, you’ll be able to put Access through many
of its most important paces, yet you’ll be working with wizards and other
on-screen tools that keep you at a comfortable arm’s distance from the soft-
ware’s inner workings, the things that programmers and serious developers
play with.
You don’t need to use every feature and tool and push the edges of the
Access envelope. In fact, you can use very little of everything Access has to
offer and still have quite a significant solution to your needs for storing and
accessing data — all because Access can really “do it all” — enabling you to
set up a database quickly, build records into that database, and then use that
data in several useful ways. Later on, who knows? You may become an
Access guru.
Access envelope. In fact, you can use very little of everything Access has to
offer and still have quite a significant solution to your needs for storing and
accessing data — all because Access can really “do it all” — enabling you to
set up a database quickly, build records into that database, and then use that
data in several useful ways. Later on, who knows? You may become an
Access guru.
In this chapter, you’ll discover what Access does best (and when you might
want to use another tool instead), you’ll see how it does what it does, and
hopefully you’ll begin to understand and absorb some basic terminology.
Now, don’t panic — nobody’s expecting you to memorize any vocabulary or
anything scary like that. The goal here (and in the next two chapters) with
regard to terms is to introduce you to some basic words and concepts that
will help you make better use of Access in general and in the subsequent
chapters in this book, too.
want to use another tool instead), you’ll see how it does what it does, and
hopefully you’ll begin to understand and absorb some basic terminology.
Now, don’t panic — nobody’s expecting you to memorize any vocabulary or
anything scary like that. The goal here (and in the next two chapters) with
regard to terms is to introduce you to some basic words and concepts that
will help you make better use of Access in general and in the subsequent
chapters in this book, too.
05_046120 ch01.qxp 11/15/06 1:57 PM Page 9
COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL