Microsoft Access is a powerful database program that allows you to enter and organize large amounts of data. Because Access allows you to relate tables and databases to one another, it is often referred to as a relational database.
A relational database is a group of tables related to one another by common fields. A table (or datasheet) looks similar to a spreadsheet. Each row in the table contains all the data for a single record. Each column in the table represents a specific data value called a field. All records have the same fields.
For example, a table of employee data might include fields for Employee ID, Last Name, First Name, Address, City, State and Zip Code. Another table for tracking timesheets might have fields for Timesheet Number, Employee ID, Week, Hours Worked, and Total Pay. The two tables are related by the Employee ID field, so the database can generate reports combining information from the two tables.
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Access comes with templates for common database categories, including project planning, employee timesheets, expense reporting, and inventory management. Rather than trying to design a complex database from scratch, try adapting one of the templates to suit your needs. |