Access 2013 for dummies

Introduction: About this book Conventions used in this book What you don't have to read Foolish assumptions How this book is organized: Part 1: Getting Started With Access 2013 Part 2: Setting The Table Part 3: Data Management Mania Part 4: Ask Your Data, And Ye Shall Receive Answers Part 5: Simple And Snazzy Reporting Part 6: More Power To You Part 7: Part Of Tens Icons used in this book Where to go from here Part 1: Getting Started With Access 2013: Access 2013 Basic Training: What is access good for, anyway?: Building big databases Building apps Creating databases with multiple tables Databases with user forms Databases that require special reporting What's new in Access 2013?: New features Reach out with SharePoint How Access works and how you work with it: Opening Access Selecting a starting point Now what? Navigating The Access Workspace: Diving right in Working with Onscreen Tools in Access Clicking tabs Using buttons File tab and Quick Access tools Accessing panes, panels, and context-sensitive tools Customizing the Access workspace: Repositioning the Quick Access toolbar Adding buttons to the quick Access toolbar Removing buttons from the Quick Access toolbar Minimizing the Ribbon Working with ScreenTips Mousing around Navigating Access with the Alt Key Database Basics: Database lingo: Data, no matter how you pronounce it Fields of dreams (or data) Records Tables Database Field types and uses Choosing between flat and relational databases: Isolationist tables Tables that mix and mingle Building a database Adding and removing tables: One more, please Opps, I didn't mean to do that Part 2: Setting The Table: Table Tune Ups: Primary key to success: Lowdown on primary keys Creating a primary key Making tables get along: Rules of relationships Relationship types Building table relationships: Relationships window Table relationships Indexing for faster queries: Create your own index Adding and removing indexes Remodeling Your Data: Opening a table for editing Inserting records and fields: Adding a record Inserting a field Deleting a field Modifying field content Name-calling: Renaming fields Renaming a table Turn uh-Oh! Into Yee-Hah! Types, Masks, And Triggers: Access table settings Field data formats: Text fields Number and currency fields Data/time fields Yes/No fields Gaining control of data entry: You really need to put a mask on those fields To require or not to require Making your data toe the line with validation Give your fingers a mini vacation by default Part 3: Data Management Mania: Form For All Reasons: Generating forms: Keeping it simple: form tools Granting most wishes: the form wizard Customizing form parts: Taking the layout view Theme's the thing Managing form controls Importing And Exporting Data: Retrieving data from other sources: Translating file formats Importing and linking Hit the road, data: Export formats Exporting table or query data Automatic Data Editing: Please read this first! Creating consistent corrections Using queries to automate the editing process: Looking for duplicate records Running the find duplicates query wizard Access And The Web: How Access works with the Web Understanding Office 365 Meet the Custom Web App Click! Using Hyperlinks in your Access database: Adding a Hyperlink field to your table Typing your hyperlinks Fine-tuning your hyperlinks Testing links Embedding web content into your Access forms: Adding hyperlinks to your form Publishing your data to the Web: Publishing your Access tables Part 4: Ask Your Data, And Ye Shall Receive Answers: Finding, Filtering, And Sorting Your Data-Fast: Using the find command: Finding anything fast Shifting find into high gear Sorting from A to Z or Z to A: Sorting by a single field Sorting on more than one field Fast and furious filtering: Filtering by a field's content Filter by selection Filter by form Unfiltering in a form Filter by excluding selection I Was Just Asking-For Answers: Simple (yet potent) filter and sort tools: Filter things first Fact-finding with fun, fast filtering Here's the "advanced" part Select queries: Solid relationships are the key to getting it all (from your tables) Running the Query Wizard Getting your feet wet with Ad Hoc Queries: Adding the finishing touches Saving the query Running your query I Want These And Those Or Them: Working with AND and/or OR: Data from here to there Using multiple levels of AND Establishing criteria with OR Combining AND with OR and OR and AND Number Crunching With The Total Row: Kissing that calculator goodbye via the Total Row Adding the Total Row to your Queries Giving the Total Row a Workout: Putting it together with Group By Well, that certainly sums it up Counting the easy way Narrowing the results with Where Creating your own Top-Ten List Choosing the right field for the Summary Instruction Express Yourself With Formulas: Simple calculation Complex calculations: Calculate 'til you drop! Using one calculation in another Using parameter queries to ask for help Adding" words with text formulas Hooray for the Expression Builder Take Charge With Action Queries: Easy update Add records in a flash Quick cleanup

Part 5: Simple And Snazzy Reporting:

Fast And Furious Automatic Reporting:

Quick and not-so-dirty automatic reporting:

Creating a quick, one-table report

Starting the report wizard

Previewing your report:

Zooming in and out and all around

Pop goes the menu

Beauty is only skin (report) deep:

Print options tab

Page tab

Columns tab

Professionally Designed Reports Made Easy:

Report repairs

Report organization:

Structural devices

Page breaks

Formatting stuff:

Adding color

Relocation, relocation, relocation

One size does not fit all

Spaced-out controls

Borderline beauty

Tweaking your text

Sneaking a peek

Getting a themes make over

Adding more design elements:

Drawing lines

Pretty as a picture

Headers And Footers And Groups, Oh My!:

Place for everything and everything in its place:

Layout basics

Sections

Grouping your records

So you want more?

Customizing properties:

Controlling report and page headings

Adjusting individual sections

Itemized adjustments

Magical Mass Mailings:

Massive mailings with the Label Wizard

Part 6: More Power To You:

Analyze This!:

From Flat File to Relational Tables with Table Analyzer

Record database object information with the database documenter

Improve database performance without steroids

Steer Users In The Right Direction With Navigation Forms:

Comings and goings of a navigation form

Am I in the right place? Testing Navigation Forms

Maintaining the Navigation Form:

Edit a Navigation form item

Delete a Navigation Form tab item

Move a Navigation form item

Displaying the Navigation Form at Startup

Part 7: Part Of Tens:

Ten Common Problems:

That's just not normal

You type 73-725, but it changes to 74

Words they are a-changing

Was there and now it's gone:

Undo

Search for the missing record

Backup recovery

You run a Query, but the results aren't what you expect

Dreaded parameter Dialog Box

Slowest database in town

Your database file is as big as a whale

You get a mess when importing your spreadsheet

We're sorry; your database file is corrupt

Ten Uncommon Tips:

Document everything as though one day you'll be questioned by the FBI

Keep your fields as small as possible

Use number fields for real numbers

Validate your data

Use understandable names to keep things simple

Delete with great caution

Backup, backup, backup

Think, think, and think again

Get organized and stay organized

There's no shame in asking for help

Appendix: Getting Help:

Asking Access for help:

Installed Help files

Asking the right questions

Online Help:

Office-com

Search engines and other sites

Who's our next caller?:

Voice calls

TDD/TT calls

Index.