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MICROSOFT ACCESS TUTORIAL
What is Microsoft Access?
Microsoft Access is an office application program and also an example of data base
management system (DBMS) this is used to create, expand and maintain database.
It is also software designed for keeping records such as Hospital records, school
records, personal record etc.
Apart from Microsoft Access there are other examples of database management
system they are as follows;
 Oracle
 Fox Base
 Fox Pro
 Clipper
 Paradox
 Dbase for windows
 Lotus Approach
Microsoft Office Access is part of the Microsoft Office Professional suite which also
includes the industry standard spreadsheet and word-processing software, Excel
and Word. Like this other software in the Office Suite, Access was designed to be
used by ordinary people who are not necessarily IT professionals. Despite being easy
to for all of us to learn, it is still a powerful information management tool. Once you
master the basics of database design, youcan then move onto more advanced areas
if youwish. For most people, however,just learning the basicsis all that is needed for
their requirements.
Learn Access 2007
Although Access is a powerful database,it can be easily learnt by non-professionals.
Access can be tackled at variouslevels of proficiency. To begin with you just need to
know the simple basics which can be picked up very quickly, and then build on your
knowledge from there. This tutorial is intended to get you started on the learning
curve.

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Access skills
When you undertake this Microsoft Access tutorial, you will be learning a valuable
new skill, whether you intend to use it at work, in education or at home. Whatever
your reasonfor learning Access2007, I hope that youwill enjoy the learning process,
and feel a great sense of achievement when you gain proficiency in the first level of
Access database development.
Access 2007's New Look
Before starting the main part of the tutorial, we are just going to familiarize
ourselves with the new look Access 2007 User Interface - or Access Screen.
The Access Screen
The Access 2007 Screenis very different to thatinpreviousversions. The menushave
beenreplaced by the Access 2007 Ribbon; there is the MICROSOFT OFFICE BUTTON
instead of the old file menu; and the old database window has been replaced by the
Access 2007 NAVIGATION PANE. Thereisalso a GETTING STARTEDscreento create
or open a database file when Access is launched.

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Access Ribbon
The ACCESS RIBBON workssomewhat differentlyto the old Access Menus. There is a
row of ribbon tabs with headings such as HOME, CREATE, EXTERNAL DATA, and
DATABASE TOOLS. Clicking oneach tab presents you with its own individual ribbon
with its own particular icons. Each icon on a ribbon is contained within a group of
icons that perform similar tasks. So, for example, the Create tab has groups for
TABLES, FORMS, REPORTS and OTHER
Microsoft Office Button
The MICROSOFT OFFICE BUTTON is in the top left corner of the Access screen. It
replaces the old Access file menu. So to perform functions such as saving, opening,
new file creation, and printing etc, you need to click this button. To the right of this
button is the Quick Access Toolbar intended to provide you
With quick access to some of the more common commands used in Access 2007.
There are three default icons on this toolbar - save, undo and redo. You can also
customise this toolbar to add additional commands as required.
Access Navigation Pane
The Access NAVIGATION PANE replaces the old database window. It is here where
you will see the icons for all the tables, forms, queries and reports that you create.
Whenyouwant to openone of your database "objects", youjust click on one of these
icons, and the required object will open in the main Access window.

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TERM AND DEFINATIONS
DATA: This can be defined as a raw material used for information or is a fact
generation about a person place or things.
INFORMATION: it is an already processed data.
FILE: This can be defined as a place were recordsare beenkept or it is a collectionof
records.
RECORD: This can be defined as a collection of logical related fields.
FIELDS: This can be defined as the collection of logical related data. Or it is the
smallest item of information in a database.
DATABASE
Database can be defined as a collection of tables and other logical related objects
were records are kept
CREATING A NEW DATABASE IN MICROSOFT ACCESS
The first step in creating an Access database is to create a blank database file. This
is done from the Getting Started Screen when you launch Access. The file is saved
onto one of your PCs folders (which you specify). The procedure for doing this is
outlined below.
1. Launch Access
To begin, launch Access by clicking on the desktop icon, or choose Access from the
start up menu.
This brings up the GETTING STARTED WITH MICROSOFT OFFICE ACCESS screen.

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2. Select Blank Database Template
Towards the top left of the screen you will see a "Blank Database" icon. Click this
icon to bring up the Blank Database side bar on the right hand side of the screen.
This is where you will enter details about the database file that you are about to
create.
3. Enter filename for your Access 2007 database
Begin by entering the name that you want to call the database in the filename
textbox.

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4. Browse and select folder
Next click the folder iconand browse for a folder to put your database. Once selected
you should see the file path below the textbox.
5. Click Create
All you need to do now is click the "Create" command button below, and your
database file saves to the location that you specified, and opens for you to work on.
OBJECTS IN DATABASE
Whenever a database iscreated inMicrosoft Access the following objects are found.
 Tables
 Queries
 Forms
 Reports
 Macros
The object above are were records or related records in a database are kept.
What is a Table?
A table is objects in a database were records are store in rows and columns. It is
were records are directly entered in a database.
How Access stores data in Tables
Like all other databases, Access 2007 stores data in tables. They look a lot like the
cells of a spreadsheet with columns and rows. Each horizontal column represents a
table record, and each vertical column represents a table field. See Table example
below:
A simple Table
ID Number First Name Surname Age
1 John Jones 35
2 Tracey Smith 25
3 Anne McNeil 30

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In the example Table above, there are four fields containing information about an
individuals ID number, First Name, Surname and Age. Below the field headings
there are 3 records containing information or data for each individual. As such, a
database table is a list with each column containing the same specific sort of
information. Each row of information is an individual record that might relate to a
particular person, a business, or a product etc.
Whenplanning a database table, most database designers will decide which column
headings or fields they are going to use. This is the basis of the table structure. The
actual data is added later and is not a part of the design process.
CREATIN A NEW TABLE USING DESIGN VIEW
1. Open database file
If you created a blank Access database in the previous tutorial lesson, you are now
ready to create a new table. Begin by opening your existing database file if it is not
already open. Do this by clicking on the Access desktop icon to bring up the getting
started screenagain. Youshould see the file name that you just created towards the
top of the right hand side bar (If you can’t see it, click the folder icon to browse for
the file). Click on the file name to bring up your blank database.
If, at this stage, you get a security warning underneath the ribbon, click where it
says options, select the "enable this content" radio button (in the pop-up window),
and then click ok.
Your blank database file should now be fully open.

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2. Create Access Table
Select the CREATE tab on the Access ribbon.
Next select the TABLE DESIGN icon from the TABLES group. This creates a new
table.
3. Create fields in DESIGN VIEW
This brings up the TABLE DESIGN GRID where you enter each field name and its
data type. After entry the field names and data type close the table design view and
save the table with name of your choice.
After that the primary key box appears click on NO from the displayed box
The first field we are going to create is the ID field which is going to contain a
unique reference number for each record. Enter the name "ID" into the first column
of the first row in the grid. Because we want Access to automatically generate a
unique reference number, select AUTONUMBER from the drop down list in the data
type column.
On the next row the field isgoing to be called FIRSTNAME and the data type is going
to be TEXT. On the third row the field name is SURNAME with the data type again
being TEXT. And finally, the last field name is AGE and the data type here is going to
be NUMBER.
4. Data entry in DATASHEET VIEW
Although entering data onto the datasheet table is not a part of the design process,
the table now exists as a database object, and you can test it by entering some
information into the cells.

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Select the first cell in the FIRSTNAME column and enter the name JOHN. For
SURNAME enter JONES, and for AGE enter 35.
NB just ignore the column underneath the heading ADD NEW FIELD. We created all
the fields we needed in design view.
You have now entered the first record in the table - record 1 for John Jones aged 35.
You can now press the return key and the record will save automatically. You are
now ready to enter the second record on the next row - TRACEY SMITH 25. Press
returnand thenfill in the data for the last record we are going to do for now - ANNE
McNEIL 30
Your datasheet table should now look like this:
Working with Access Tables
Once you have an Access Table populated with data, you have the option to work
with it right away. Indeed, some people may not go on to create forms, queries, and
reports once they have created their first table. With a single table you can, for
example, store, edit, filter,search, and calculate a set of database records. Now that
youhave created your first table and stored a number of records, we will take a look
how you go about working with tables. We shall use your newly created table with
some additional records to illustrate how to do this.

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Access FORMS are user friendly
In the previous lesson, you created an Access Table and entered three records.
However, to get the most out of Access it makes sense to create a data entry FORM.
By doing so you are making your database more users friendly. It is easier and
quicker to enter data onto a form than it is into a table, not least because you have
more control over the layout and labeling of your form. In this lesson we will learn
how to create a FORM that uses your newly created table as the DATA SOURCE.
DATA TYPE
A data type can be defined asthe type of data or character that a field should accept
when records are been entered into tables in datasheet view.
The following types of data type can be used when creating a new table in table
design view using Microsoft access.
1. TEXT: It is a data type that can accept any type of input from the keyboard.
E.g. alphabet, numbers or special characters.
2. AUTO NUBER: This type of data type is used to number records serially
whenever they are entered into the table in datasheet view.
3. CURRENCY: This type of data type accept only currency e.g. Dollars ($)

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4. MEMO: Thistype of data type isused to accept short description, short noteor
comment
5. NUMBER: This type of data type can only accept numbers or numeric
characters.
6. (Object Linking Embedding)OLEOBJECT: This type of data type is used link
an image or object with the record in a table.
7. DATE/TIME: This type of data type accept date and time depending on the
format of the system e.g. DD/MM/YYYY and MM/DD/YYYY and HH/MM/SS
i.e. HH= Hour, MM= Minutes, SS= Seconds
8. YES/NO: This data type is used to accept logical operation or two (2) state
conditional statements i.e. YES/NO, ON/OFF, HIGH/LOW etc.
EXAMPLES OF FIELD NAME AND DATA TYPE
FIELD NAME DATA TYPE
NAME TEXT
SEX TEXT
AGE NUMBER
SERIAL NUMBER AUTO NUMBER
COMMENT MEMO
DATE DATE/TIME
PICTURE OLE OBJECT
FIELD SIZE
This command is used to indicate the maximum number of character that a field
should accept when data are been entered into a table.
HOW TO SET A FIELD SIZE IN THE TABLE ESIGN VIEW
1. Create the table in table design view
2. Place the cursor inside the field whose size you want to set.

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3. Click on the field size room or place the cursor inside the field size room and
delete the existing field size and specify the field size of your choice.
4. Save the table and close the table design view window
5. Open the table from the datasheet view and enter your records.
PRIMARY KEY
A primary key is the key or command that is used to protect a particular field
against the duplication of data or repetition of data. It is the key that uniquely
indentifies a data or records in a table.
There are two ways of assigning primary key to the fields in a table in a database
these are
1. The user assigning a primary key
2. Microsoft Access assigning a primary key
HOW USERS CAN ASSIGN PRIMARY KEY
1. Create the table in the table design view
2. Right click on the field you want to assign the primary key and click on
primary key fromthe pop menulist OR place the cursor on the field, then click
on the primary key icon from the table design view.
3. Save the table with a name and close the table design view
4. Openthe table fromthe database window inthe datasheet vie and enter your
records
N/B.
Microsoft Accesswill assign the primary key to a new field called ID (Identification)
with auto number called the data type.
HOW TO REMOVE THE PRIMARY KEY
1. Open the database that contains the table
2. Select the table and click on create from the menu bar
3. From the displayed access ribbon click on design view
4. From the table design view, right click on the field that contains the primary
key and click on the primary key from the pop menu list OR place

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your cursor on the field and then click on the primary key icon from the table
design view bar
5. Save the changes you have made to the table and close the table design view
window.
QUERY
A query can be defined as anobject in a database that isuse to extract records from
either a table or form existing in the same database based on the given criteria or
command.
TYPES OF QUERY
 Select Query
 Action Query
 Structural Query Operator (SQL)
A SELECT QUERY:
This type of query is used to extract or select records from a table in a database
based on the given criteria or command.
HOW TO RUN A SELECT QUERY
1. Create a table in the database or open an already existing database
2. Fromthe menubar click CREATE TABand thengo to the OTHERgroup on the
far right of the ribbon.
3. Then click on the QUERY DESIGN ICON to bring up the query
design grid.
4. The next stage is to select which table you are going to use in this query from
the SHOW TABLE pop up window.

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5. So far there is only one table in your database - TABLE1. This should be
highlighted when the window opens, but if not, just click on it once.
6. Click on ADD then you close the pop-up window by clicking x or close tab.
Select fields from Table
7. In the table1 box, you will see a list of its field names. We are going to use all
the fields in this query, so select each one individually by double clicking on
their names. You will now see the field names at the top of each column in the
Query Design Grid.

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Enter query criteria
8. As you may remember, the purpose of our query is to extract records where
the persons name is greater than or equal to 35. To do this we enter the
criteria into the appropriatecell of the query designgrid. In this case youneed
to go to the AGE column of the CRITERIA row, and enter the formula >=35.
Save and Run Query
9. Click the Run icon from the RESULTSGROUP of the Access Ribbon and
save the table with the name of your choice. You should now be
presented with a datasheet displaying your query results - JOHN JONES35 and
JOE BROWN 39. Base on the provided table below
ID Number FirstName Surname Age
1 John Jones 35
2 Tracey Smith 25
3 Anne McNeil 30
4 Joe Brown 39
5 Sue Moore 33
What we want Access to do is extract all the records in the above table where the
person’sage is greater thanor equal to 35. Access Queriescan do far more than this,
of course, but this simple task should serve as a useful learning exercise.

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QUERY OPERATOR
These are charactersor special charactersthat are used on query criteria to specify
the range of data or records that is to be selected or extracted from a particular
table in a database.
TYPES OF QUERY OPERATOR
 Relational Query operator
 Logical query Operator
Relational Query Operator: these are character used on a given criteria to select
records from a table e.g. (>, <, >=, <=, <> ,=)
Logical Query Operator: This type of operator usually combine two or more
relational operators before extracting records from the specified table e.g.
i. OR Operator: this operator will only select records from an existing table if
one(1) , more thanone(1) of the criteria or all the criteria specified ina query
command are satisfied e.g. >20, or 19
ii. And Operator: This operator will only select record when all the conditions
specified in the criteria are satisfied. The AND operator is commonly use to
query for date
WILD CHARACTERS
These are characters that are used in query criteria to represent any type of
character used to enter data into a table. The common types of wild characters that
are used include?, *,”etc.
EXAMPLES OF QUAERY CRITERIA
1. To select those employed or admitted in one year e.g. 1996, enter this in the
query design view >=1/1/1996 AND <=31/12/1996.
2. To select data or records that contains certain number of character e.g. 4
character, enter this “????” while each (?) represent character
3. To select those employed or admitted inmore thanone year e.g. from 2000 to
2012 enter this >=1/1/2000 AND <=31/12/2012
4. To select recordsthat beginswith a specified character e.g. that beginswith K,
enter this K* in the query design view under field u want to query.

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5. To select records that ends with a specific character e.g. that ends with K
enter *K
ACTION QUERY
This is the type of query that is used to extract records from an exiting table in a
database based on the given criteria and in addition performs other task.
TYPES OF ACTION QUERY
 Make Table Query
 Delete Query
 Append Query
 Update Query
Make Table Query: This type of action query is used to select records from a table
based on the criteria given and in addition, create a new table were the selected
records are kept.
Delete Query: This type of action query is used to delete records existing in a table
based on the criteria given.
HOW TO CREATE A DELETE QUERY
1. Create a select query and specify your criteria.
2. Click on delete query Icon from the drop down Access
ribbon.
3. Click on the run Icon and click on yes from the query dialog box that
will be displayed.
4. Close the query design window and do not save i.e. saving is optional
5. Open the table from the database and view the updated record in the table
datasheet view.
APPEND QUERY: This type of action query is used to copy or append records from
one table into another table existing in the same database.
UPDATE QUERY: This type of action query is normally used to update or change
existing type of records in a table to reflect the current position of the database.

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HOW TO CREATE AN UPDATE QUERY
6. Create a select query and specify your criteria.
7. Click on Update query Icon from the drop down Access ribbon.
8. Place your cursor on the update to row under the field whose data
you want to update and specify your criteria to update to.
9. Click on the run Icon and click on yes from the query dialog box that
will be displayed.
10. Close the query design window and do not save i.e. saving is optional
11. Open the table from the database and view the updated record in the table
datasheet view.
Create Access form
There are a number of ways to create an Access form they are.
 Form design view
 Form wizard
CREATING FORM USING FORM WIZARD
1. Select form wizard
Open your database if it is not already open. Click the CREATE tab on the
ACCESS RIBBON and then select MORE FORMS from the forms group.
A drop down list of form types appears. You need to select FORM WIZARD from this
list.
2. Select table and fields

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The Form wizard then opens as the pop up window below.
On the first page of the formwizard we select which table we are going to use as the
DATA SOURCE. Since there isonly one table in this database so far, it should already
be selected for us in the TABLES/QUERIES combo box.
Underneath there is a list of the four fields in your table. You could select each field
individually by highlighting the field name and clicking the single arrow >. We can,
however, select all four just by clicking the double arrow >>. Once they have been
transfered into the right hand box they are selected. We cannow click NEXT to go to
page 2 of the form wizard.

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3. Form Layout
This is where we choose the FORM LAYOUT. We are going to leave this onthe default
setting of COLUMNAR. Click NEXT again to move onto page three of the form
wizard.

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4. Form Style
Here we select a style that from the list box. Preview a style by clicking on its name.
This step just determineshow the formlooksaesthetically. Once you have selected a
style to your taste, click NEXT again.
5. Form Title

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This is the last stage of the wizard. Here we are going to choose the name for our
form - lets say FORM1. We are going to leave the radio button selected for OPEN
THE FORM TO ENTER OR VIEW INFORMATION
All we need to do now is click FINISH and our form should like something like this:
6. Navigate Records via Access Form
As youcan see, the formopens with the first record in your original table displayed.
You can navigate through each record using the NAVIGATION BUTTON at the
bottom left of the form window.
To move to the next record click the right arrow button on the navigation control.
To move to the last record click the >| button on the navigation control. To move
backwards through the recordset use the left arrow buttons. You could edit any
record fromthe form, which will update the data inyour table. For now, though, just
try navigating through the three records without changing any data.
7. Create New Record via Access Form
Now that youknow how to move through the recordset, letsfinish off by adding two
more records. To do thisclick the star button on the right of the navigation control.
This should bring up a blank record. Add JOE for firstname, BROWN for surname,
and 39 for age. Click the star again to bring up a new blank record, and enter SUE
MOORE 33. When you have finished click x on the form window to close.
ACCESS REPORTS PRESENT DATA
What is a Report?

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A report is an object in a database that is used to display records selected from
either a table or a query in the same database. The reports also shows selected
records in pages unlike four per page when design view is used but records are
displayed differently when the report wizard is used.
Access REPORTS is also way of displaying and printing information from your
database. Developers often use Reports to display the results of a Query.
Like other Access database objects, there a number of ways to create an Access
REPORT. We are going use the REPORT WIZARD.
CREATING A REPORT USING REPORT WIZARD
1. Open Report Wizard
Begin by selecting the CREATE TAB on the Access Ribbon. Then click REPORT
WIZARD from the REPORTS group to open the pop up window.
2. Select Report Data Source and Fields
The first page of the Report Wizard is almost identical to that of the Form Wizard.
On thispage we will select QUERY1 as the DATASOURCE for the Report. This is done
by selecting the query from the list in the TABLES/QUERIES combo box. Then select
all fields from QUERY1 by clicking the double arrow to the right of the text box
labelled AVAILABLE FIELDS. The field names will now appear in the SELECTED
FIELDS text box on the right. Click next to go to the second page of the wizard.

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3. Report Grouping Levels
Page two of the wizard is where you can add grouping levels if required. So we
could, for example, group each personinour report with othersof the same age. We
dont need to do this for this particular example, but it is certainly a useful feature
that we might want to learn more about later. But for now, just click next.
4. Record Sort Order
Page three of the wizard is where you determine what order the records are
displayed in your report. So for example you might want to display records in
ascending order of age. For thisexample, however, we are going to put your records
into alphabetical order for SURNAME and FIRSTNAME. Begin by clicking the top
drop down box and selecting SURNAME, and in the box 2 below select FIRSTNAME.
This meansthat recordsare sorted alphabetically by surname, and if two surnames
are the same, the FIRSTNAME is used to determine which record comes first etc.
Click Next

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5. Report Lay Out
This page of the Wizard is where you set the lay out for your report. There are
various lay out options, but in our case we shall keep to the default setting of
TABULAR.
Click next.
6. Style
For style, select the style of your choice from the list and click next.

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7. Name of Report
Name your report REPORT1 and then click FINISH.
Your access report will now be displayed on the screen, and should look something
like this: