Overview

Data is everywhere. Most job roles today involve some form of data management. Virtually everyone is affected in some way by the need to manage data. A relational database application such as Microsoft® Access® can help you and your organization with this task. This course is the first part of a three-course Specialization that covers the skills needed to perform database design and development in Access. This course may be a useful component in your preparation for the Microsoft Access Expert (Microsoft 365 Apps and Office 2019): Exam MO-500 certification exam. This course is designed for students looking to establish a foundational understanding of Access, including the skills necessary to create a new database, construct data tables, design forms and reports, and create queries. In this course, you will: navigate within the Access application environment, create a simple database, and customize Access configuration options; organize and manage data stored within Access tables; use queries to join, sort, and filter data from different tables; use forms to make it easier to view, access, and input data; and create and format custom reports. This course requires that you have Microsoft Access installed on a Windows PC. The course setup instructions provided in the first module of the course go into more detail about the hardware and software requirements.

Syllabus

Working with an Access Database

In this lesson, you will become familiar with the general capabilities of the Office app Microsoft® Access®, and with the user interface, by working with a completed version of the database you will develop.

Creating Tables

You have navigated within an existing Microsoft® Access® database and have become familiar with the various components used to construct a database, including tables, queries, forms, and reports. Now you will create your own Access database, starting out by planning the database design. Then you will create a database file and tables, and populate those tables with data.

Creating Queries

You have created a database, populated tables, and made updates to database content in Microsoft® Access®. You have searched, sorted, and filtered datasheets. As powerful as those features are, however, they are limited. They are temporary and easily overwritten. In this lesson, you will see how queries enable you to create reusable instructions that perform complex operations on dynamic table data fast and precisely the same way each time.

Creating Forms

You have worked with data through tables and queries in Microsoft® Access®, and now you will see how to use forms to access data. Forms present the data in an interface that make it easier to view. In this lesson, you will create a form and then experience how it can improve the way users work with data.

Creating Reports

You created a database and managed its content by using a variety of tools provided by Microsoft® Access®. For many, the ultimate reason to collect and organize data is to produce a report. In this lesson, you will create a report, add controls and change the report's layout, apply themes and layout options, prepare a report to be printed, organize report information, and format reports.