Office 2007 Bible

Access Database Objects and Views

If you’re new to databases (or even if you’re an experienced database user), you need to understand some key concepts before starting to build Access databases. The Access database contains seven types of top-level objects, which consist of the data and tools that you need to use Access:

• Table: Holds the actual data

• Query: Searches for, sorts, and retrieves specific data

• Form: Lets you enter and display data in a customized format

• Report: Displays and prints formatted data

• Pages: Publishes data to a corporate intranet

• Macro: Automates tasks without programming

• Module: Contains programs written in the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) programming language

Datasheets

Datasheets are one of the many ways by which you can view data in Access. Although not a database object, a datasheet displays a list of records from a table in a format similar to an accounting spreadsheet or Excel worksheet. A datasheet displays data as a series of rows and columns (comparable to an Excel spreadsheet). A datasheet displays a table’s information in its raw form. The datasheet view is the default mode for displaying all fields for all records.

You scroll through the datasheet using the directional keys on your keyboard. You can also display related records in other tables while in a datasheet. In addition, you can make changes to the displayed data.

Caution

Use caution when making changes or allowing a user to modify data in datasheet format. When a datasheet record is ...