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Acces is used to create databases. It is great for storing names and addresses - information that you would want to retrieve, sort or print a report. Below are some important items to know about Access.

• Database Definitions
• Field. A field contains a single piece of data.
• Record. A record contains two or more related fields, such as an employee’s name, address and telephone number.
• Table. A table is a collection of records that can be displayed in a series of rows and columns. Each row is a record.  The columns are the individual fields making up the record.
• Database. A database in Access includes one or more tables.  A database in Access also includes any forms, queries or reports that were created to access the data.
• Form. An arranged or designed way to view, edit or enter data. A form can be designed to look like a paper form so that a person can enter one record at a time.
• Query. A query displays selected fields from one or more tables. A set of criteria may be used to select only information from certain fields. For example, you may want to search for only individuals that live in Montana and are over 35 years old.
• Reports. Printed data may be placed into a formatted report.
• Primary Key. A primary key is a field that uniquely identifies each record.  In some situations more than one field can be used as a primary key.
• Field Types and Properties
• Data Types
• Text
• Memo
• Number
• Date/Time
• Currency
• AutoNumber
• Yes/No
• Properties
• Size
• Caption
• Input Mask
• Default Value
• Validation
• Required
• Index
• Access Views
• Datasheet view.  This view resembles a worksheet with rows and columns. All rows of a table or query are displayed.
• Design View. This view is used to modify the layout of a table, query, form or report.
• Display the Main Switchboard
• In the database window click the Forms button (under Objects) in the left column.  Then double-click the Switchboard item in the right column.
• Whenever the Main Switchboard is open, the database window is minimized.
• Create a database from a template
• Display the New File task pane
• From the menu bar select File > New.
• Click General Templates in the New File task pane.
• In the Templates dialog box select the Databases tab.
• Click the database template you would like to use. Click the OK button.
• Type a name for your database. Click Create to begin the wizard.
• Use the Next button to move through the screens of the Database Wizard.  In the wizard you may select additional fields, screen style, report style and a title for the database.
• Click the Finish button to create the database.
• The Main Switchboard appears.  Enter data from the switchboard.
• Import Excel data into a table
• In the Tables window, right-click in a white, unused area. Choose Import from the menu.
• Click the drop-down arrow for Files of type and select Excel.
• Select the folder that contains the Excel file in the Look In location.
• Select the Excel file and click Import.
• An Import Spreadsheet wizard opens.
• Select the worksheet with the data you want to import. Click Next.
• Access can use column headings as field names. Respond to ‘Does the first row specified contain column headings?’  Click Next.
• Select the table where you would like to import the data. Click Next.  If it is a new table, you will have the opportunity to specify information about the fields you are importing.
• Name the table and click Finish.
• Open the table in Access datasheet view to see if the information appears to be imported correctly.
• Create a Table by using the wizard
• In the Database window, click Tables.
• Double-click ‘Create table by using wizard.’
• Select a sample table from the list of business and personal tables.
• Select fields for the new table.
• Select a title for the table. Click Finish.
• Open the table in design view to edit the table.
• Create a Form by using the wizard
• In the Database window, click Forms.
• Double-click ‘Create form by using wizard’
• Select a table or query as the basis for the form.
• Select fields for the form. Click Next.
• Select a layout for the form. Click Next.
• Select a style for the form. Click Next.
• Select a title for the form. Click Finish.
• Open the form in design view to make any edits to the form.
• Create a Query by using the wizard
• In the Database window, click Queries.
• Double-click ‘Create query by using wizard’
• Select a table or query as the basis for the new query.
• Select fields for the query. Click Next.
• Select a title for the form. Click Finish.
• Open the query in design view to select specific criteria.
• Create a Report by using the wizard
• In the Database window, click Reports.
• Double-click ‘Create report by using wizard’
• Select a table or query as the basis for the report.
• Select fields for the form. Click Next.
• Select any data groupings for the report. Click Next.
• Select a sort order for the fields that have not been grouped. Click Next.
• Select a layout for the report. Click Next.
• Select a style for the report. Click Next.
• Select a title for the report. Click Finish.
• Open the report in design view to make any edits to the report.
• Editing a database
• Access saves changes to a record as soon as you move on to the next record.  Frequent saves can be a positive, however, the former data will be lost unless you make a backup of the database before you begin your changes.
• The Undo command only works for the last action performed. This is unlike other Office programs.