Table of Contents

Introduction

About This Book

Conventions Used in This Book

What You Don’t Have to Read

Foolish Assumptions

How This Book Is Organized

Part I: Getting Started with Access 2013

Part II: Setting the Table

Part III: Data Management Mania

Part IV: Ask Your Data, and Ye Shall Receive Answers

Part V: Simple and Snazzy Reporting

Part VI: More Power to You

Part VII: The Part of Tens

Appendix: Getting Help

Icons Used in This Book

Where to Go from Here

Part I: Getting Started with Access 2013

Chapter 1: 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?

Chapter 2: Navigating the Access Workspace

Diving Right In

Working with Onscreen Tools in Access

Clicking tabs

Using buttons

The 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

Chapter 3: Database Basics

Database Lingo

Data, no matter how you pronounce it

Fields of dreams (or data)

Records

Tables

The 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

Oops, I didn’t mean to do that

Part II: Setting the Table

Chapter 4: Table Tune Ups

The Primary Key to Success

The lowdown on primary keys

Creating a primary key

Making Tables Get Along

Rules of relationships

Relationship types

Building Table Relationships

The Relationships window

Table relationships

Indexing for Faster Queries

Create your own index

Adding and removing indexes

Chapter 5: 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!

Chapter 6: Types, Masks, and Triggers

Access Table Settings

Field Data Formats

Text fields

Number and currency fields

Date/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 III: Data Management Mania

Chapter 7: A Form for All Reasons

Generating Forms

Keeping it simple: Form tools

Granting most wishes: the Form Wizard

Customizing Form Parts

Taking the Layout view

The theme’s the thing

Managing form controls

Chapter 8: 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

Chapter 9: 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

Chapter 10: 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 IV: Ask Your Data, and Ye Shall Receive Answers

Chapter 11: 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

Chapter 12: 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

Chapter 13: 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 with AND

Chapter 14: 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

Chapter 15: Express Yourself with Formulas

A 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

Chapter 16: Take Charge with Action Queries

Easy Update

Add Records in a Flash

Quick Cleanup

Part V: Simple and Snazzy Reporting

Chapter 17: 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

The Print Options tab

The Page tab

The Columns tab

Chapter 18: 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 Makeover

Adding More Design Elements

Drawing lines

Pretty as a picture

Chapter 19: Headers and Footers and Groups, Oh My!

A 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

Chapter 20: Magical Mass Mailings

Massive Mailings with the Label Wizard

Part VI: More Power to You

Chapter 21: Analyze This!

From Flat File to Relational Tables with Table Analyzer

Record Database Object Information with the Database Documenter

Improve Database Performance without Steroids

Chapter 22: Steer Users in the Right Direction with Navigation Forms

The 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 VII: The Part of Tens

Chapter 23: Ten Common Problems

That’s Just Not Normal

You Type 73.725, but It Changes to 74

The 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

The Dreaded Parameter Dialog Box

The 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

Chapter 24: 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

Installed Help files

Asking the right questions

Office.com

Search engines and other sites

Voice calls

TDD/TT calls