Database Reference
In-Depth Information
For some kinds of tables, Access provides Quick Start fields that you can use to add com-
mon sets of fields or kinds of fields to a table. The Quick Start options take the work out
of defining these fields and can be very useful when you know exactly what type of field
you need.
In this exercise, you'll create a blank database, enter information in the first record of its
default table, assign field names, add another record, and save and close the table. Then
you'll copy that table to create a second one. Finally, you'll create a new table and experi-
ment with Quick Start fields.
SET UP
You don't need any practice files to complete this exercise. Close any open
databases, display the New page of the Backstage view, and then follow the steps.
1
On the
New
page, click the
Blank desktop database
icon.
2
In the creation window, in the
File Name
box, enter
MyTables
. Then click the
Browse
button, navigate to the
Chapter02
practice file folder, and click
OK
.
TIP
Remember, you can't create a blank database without saving it. If you don't pro-
vide a file name and location, Access saves the file with the name
Database
followed
by a sequential number in the default location (your Documents folder, unless you
have changed it).
3
Click the
Create
button to create the blank database in the specified location.
Let's enter data in the first record.
4
With the empty field below
Click to Add
selected in the new blank
Table1
table,
enter
Scott
, and then press the
Tab
key to move to the next field.
5
Notice that the icon in the record selector has changed to a pencil to indicate that
this record has not yet been saved. The value
1
appears in the
ID
field, the name of
the second column has changed to
Field1
, and the
Click to Add
label has moved to
the third column.
6
Click the pencil icon in the record selector to save the record before you move on.
TIP
Clicking the record selector is necessary only after you enter the first value in a
new table. This action sets the ID field value to 1.
7
Click the cell below
Click to Add
, and enter the following information into the next
seven cells. Press
Tab
after each entry.
