Creating a Table with the Table Design Wizard

Beginning a new database can be intimidating. To make it easier, Access offers a wide variety of sample tables to help you get started. Rather than creating your first table from scratch, try using the Table Design Wizard.

To create a table using the Table Design Wizard:

1. Double-click Create table by using wizard in the Tables window.
2. Select the type of table you need: business or personal.
3. Select the Sample Table that best fits your needs. Be sure to read through all of the samples available!
4. Select the fields from the sample that you want to include in your table. If you have trouble using the wizard, review the Using Wizards task in the Introduction to Access lesson.
5. Give your Table a meaningful name.
6. For now, allow Access to set the Primary Key.
7. Select what you want to do next: modify the table design, enter data in Datasheet view, or create a data entry form based on the table you just created.
8. Click the Finish button to end the wizard and finalize your table.

Some of the sample personal tables may be helpful for a business. In this example, we use the personal recipes sample to set up the recipes table for the pet shop's bakery division.

You can rename a field in your field names list.

1. Click the field name to select it.
2. Click the Rename Field... button.
3. Type the new name in the text box, and click OK.

1. Double-click a field name in the Sample Fields: list to add it to your list.
2. Double-click a field name in the Fields in my new table: list to remove it.
3. To add all available fields to your list of fields, click the Add All Fields button. [>>]
4. To remove all the fields from your list, click the Remove All Fields button. [<<]