Defining the Elements of Access DatabasesUnderstanding Relational DatabasesUsing Access Database Files and TablesThe Access System DatabaseAccess Library DatabasesCreating a New DatabaseUnderstanding the Properties of Tables and FieldsChoosing Field Data Types, Sizes, and FormatsChoosing Field Sizes for Numeric and Text DataSubtypes for Numeric DataFixed-Width Text FieldsSubtypes for the OLE Object Data TypeSelecting a Display FormatStandard Formats for Number, Date/Time, and Yes/No Data TypesThe Null Value in Access TablesCustom Display FormatsUsing Input MasksUsing the Northwind Traders Sample DatabaseUsing the Table Wizard to Create New TablesAdding a New Table to an Existing DatabaseDesigning the Personnel Actions TableDetermining What Information the Table Should IncludeAssigning Information to FieldsCreating the Personnel Actions TableCreating a Table Directly in Datasheet ViewSetting Default Values of FieldsWorking with Relations, Key Fields, and IndexesEstablishing Relationships Between TablesEnforcing Referential IntegrityUnderstanding How Referential Integrity Is EnforcedCascading Updates and DeletionsSelecting a Primary KeyAdding Indexes to TablesAltering Fields and RelationshipsRearranging the Sequence of Fields in a TableChanging Field Data Types and SizesNumeric FieldsText FieldsConversion Between Number, Date, and Text Field Data TypesChanging Relationships Between TablesCopying and Pasting TablesTroubleshootingGaps in AutoNumber Field ValuesExtra Indexes Added by AccessIn the Real World—Database Strategy and Table TacticsWhy Table Design Comes Before Database Design in This BookNaming Conventions for Tables and Fields