Starting Access

Microsoft Access 2003 is a powerful, relational database application that allows you to create simple and complex databases. We will discuss what a database is and what Access database objects are in a moment, but first let us take a look at the Access application window. You can start Access in several ways, depending on how you've installed it. One way is to use the Start menu button. Follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button. A menu appears.

2. Point to All Programs . A menu of software applications installed on your computer appears. Select the Microsoft Office icon.

3. On the submenu that appears, click Microsoft Office Access 2003; Access starts.

Moving Programs Around on the Start Menu If you prefer to have Access in a different program group , open the Start menu and drag the Access item to another location of your choice.

You can also start Access using either of the following:

• Create a shortcut icon for Access that sits on your desktop; you can then start Access by double-clicking the icon. To create the shortcut icon, right-click on the Access icon on the Start menu and then click Create Shortcut on the shortcut menu that appears. A second Access icon appears on the Start menu. Drag it from the Start menu to the desktop.

• When you're browsing files in Windows Explorer, you can double-click any Access data file to start Access and open that data file.