Creating a Database from a Template Another option for creating a new database is using one of the Access database templates. Templates are available for asset tracking, contact management, inventory control, and other database types. Another perk of using an Access template to create a new database is that a Database Wizard creates tables and other objects, such as forms and reports , for the new database. The wizard also sets up the relationships between the various tables (making your database relational). Your interaction with the Database Wizard is somewhat limited; the wizard allows you to select the fields that will be used in the tables that it creates for the database. However, you don't have a say about which tables are initially created (tables can always be deleted later if you don't need them). You are, however, given the opportunity to select the format for screen displays (for forms and reports) and to select the format for printed reports. To create a database from a template, follow these steps:
Tip Opening the Task Pane When you are working on a particular database and want to open the task pane, select the View menu, point at Toolbars , and then select Task Pane.
Caution Be Careful Deselecting Fields! Because you are stuck with the tables that the Database Wizard creates, you must be very careful removing fields from the tables. This is especially true of fields that uniquely identify the records in a table, such as Contact ID. These fields are often used to relate the tables in the database. You might want to leave all the fields alone initially when you use the wizard.
Tip Report Background The colored backgrounds used for some report styles look nice onscreen, but they don't print well on a black-and-white printer. Unless you have access to a color printer, stick to plain backgrounds for the best report printouts.
When the wizard has finished creating the database, the database's Main Switchboard window appears (see Figure 3.6). The Main Switchboard opens automatically whenever you open the database. All the databases created using one of the Access templates (other than the Blank Database template) include a Main Switchboard. The Switchboard is nothing more than a fancy form with some programming built in to it. It enables you to perform common tasks related to database management by clicking a button. It is very useful when a person is unfamiliar with how to manipulate the various objects in a database. Figure 3.6. The Switchboard window is a database navigation tool provided by the Database Wizard.
Using the Main Switchboard is pretty much self-explanatory. After you become familiar with Access, you probably won't even use it. To close the Switchboard, click its Close ( X ) button. Tip I Hate That Switchboard! To prevent the Switchboard from opening when you open the database, choose Tools , Startup . In the Startup dialog box, select the Display Form/Page drop-down list and select [None]. Click OK. After you close the Switchboard window, you will find that the database window has been minimized in the Access workspace. Just double-click its title bar (at the bottom-left corner of the screen) to open it. To see the tables that the wizard created, click the Tables object type. Click the other object types (such as forms) to see the other objects that were created by the wizard. The tables that the wizard creates are, of course, empty. After you fill them with data (either inputting the data directly into the table or using a form), you will be able to run queries and create reports. |
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