Building Databases

Microsoft Access is a complete relational database management system that offers powerful tools for creating tables, queries, forms and reports. This concise guide to building databases begins with a short but practical overview of good database design –beginning with how to model the numerous tables that are required to manage the real world facts about objects, places, or events. Following the design review, the book then steps you through the process of creating tables (including working with data types, validation rules, input masks and formatting), queries (creating criteria expressions, formulas, and working with action queries), forms (from simple forms to forms with subforms) and reports (including simple reports, grouped and summary reports, and mailing labels).

This title is the first in a series on Building components for a Microsoft Access database. The books in this series focus on a task-based approach to learning Microsoft Access and therefore differ from other books that feature a complete review of all the commands and tools available in Microsoft Access. Schiavone taught database design for large organizations for over 10 years. This task-based approach to learning is the result of years of field experience in training office and technology workers what they need to know to get the job done.