Microsoft® Access Basic Training Courses

If you’re new to database creation, or to Microsoft Access, or are self-taught and want to fill in gaps in your basic skills, then please consider DMW’s Basic training course.

Courses are delivered on-site, anywhere in the UK, by David Wallis who is a professional database developer. You’ll be able to tap David’s knowledge built up during years of creating Microsoft Office-based business solutions for scores of clients across dozens of business sectors.

Course Content

Course content is adjusted to suit the sorts of databases you intend to create.

These are topics that are core to most Basic courses:

Why use a database Why choose a database and not some other program, like a spreadsheet. Many people attending a database course are already using Excel and want to find out under what circumstances Access offers advantages over Excel.

Terminology Understanding database terminology—Access uses the vocabulary of the database developer and therefore you need a grasp of the jargon. For example, what is meant by a “relational database”.

Planning How to plan for a successful database. There are rules for storing data in a database that should be followed. You need to understand how to apply these to your database before you even start creating it in Access,

Database objects Components of a relational database: the engine room that manages the data; the user interface that hides the technicalities from the user; the reporting function for outputting information.

Access database Examining how Access works as a RDBMS (relational database management system).

New database How to start a new database in Access.

Table objects Understanding tables—fields and record—as the receptacles for storing data.

Table creation How to create an Access data table.

Table fields Data types; properties; primary keys; indexing; validation.

Multiple tables Working with more than one table to establish a relational database.

Relationships Understanding the types of relational links between tables and how to create these links in Access.

Queries Their importance in a database and where and when to use them.

Query design Creating single- and multi-table queries.

Sorting Using queries to sort data.

Filtering by query Using queries to list records that match your criteria; use of wild cards in criteria.

Calculations Using queries to perform calculations on your data.

Forms Their role in a database. When to use them.

Form design Creating a form using a Wizard; modifying the appearance and behavior of a form.

Reports Their part in a database.

Report design Creating a report using a Wizard; modifying the appearance of a report.

Conclusion Reflection on what you’ve learnt and how you might apply Access to your own database.

Course Duration

A typical course lasts for a minimum of two days, each one usually between 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM.

The normal pattern is database design and table creation on the first morning with queries in the afternoon; forms and reports on the second day.

Some clients like a gap between the two days so that they can reflect on what they learn about setting up their database before moving on to find out about designing user interface screens and reports for printing.

Course Prerequisites

Competence in the use of the mouse, keyboard and windows, and of the “ribbon” common to Access, Excel and Word, and across rest of Microsoft Office. Awareness of basic computer principles like files, folders and filing.

Some thought given to why you might want to use a database in the first place and what business activities it is to support.

Certificates

On completion of a training course, each attendee receives a Certificate of Attendance, which contains details of the topics covered during the training.