Diagramming Table Relationships

Selecting the Database Diagrams shortcut and double-clicking the Relationships item opens the Relationships diagram, derived from Jet's Relationships window. Click the arrow to the right of the Zoom Modes Drop-down button and select the percentage that displays all tables without scrolling (see Figure 20.32).

Figure 20.32. The Relationships database diagram displays the same information as Jet's Relationships window in a different format.

You can do the following in the Relationships diagram:

• Modify the properties of any table in the database, including adding and deleting fields, or changing the properties of fields. Right-clicking the table header opens a versatile context menu with 18 choices. Choosing Column Properties expands the selected table window to display a reduced-size version of Table Design view (see Figure 20.33). Choose Column Name to return to the default view.

  Figure 20.33. You can display column properties (shown here for the Categories table) or make one of 17 other choices from the database diagram's context menu.

  

• Add or drop tables of the database. You can also start with a new SQL Server database, and then add all the required tables, fields, and relationships in the window.

• View and alter relationships between tables by right-clicking the join line and choosing Properties.

• Hide tables. Hiding a table also causes relationship symbols connecting the table to disappear.

• Print the diagram. If the size of the diagram exceeds the maximum paper size of your printer, you must cut and paste several sheets to obtain a complete diagram.