| Connect with US! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Access 2013 Tutorial
|
|
|
Find your Way Around Access 2013
|
Microsoft Access 2013 is more app-focused. The new database 慉ccess web app' allows users to create
and share apps without any difficulty. You can upload apps to SharePoint where others can Access
them as well. To make things easier, Access 2013 does not even require additional login information
apart from your SharePoint account. Moreover, apps created on Microsoft Access 2013 can even be run
on devices that do not have the program installed.
The focus of the new Access is to provide users with a faster and more flexible experience. The rest of
this Access 2013 tutorial will teach you how to find your way around the new Microsoft Access 2013.
Specifically, you will learn how to build basic apps, make databases, understand functions, and
create forms.
Our training partner is offering a special this month where you can
Download Free Office 2013 training
for a week!!
Here is what the interface of Microsoft Access looks like
in this new version of Office 2013.
|
|
Creating Apps in Microsoft Access 2013
You can create a Web-based database app on Access by using your SharePoint or Office 365 account.
Access also uses Microsoft SQL Server to enhance the performance of the apps.
You can even create desktop databases or use built-in templates to create the app.
To build an app, simply select a template or click "Custom web app", if you want to start from scratch.
Type in a name and location for the app, or choose one from the "Locations". Click "Info" in the "File"
tab to check the availability of the name and the server location. Click "Create" to proceed.
Here is how to create a new Web App in Microsoft Access Office 2013.
|
|
You will need to add table templates to your Microsoft Access 2013 app.
For instance, if you are working on "Task", search for the "Tasks" template and click it.
You will see a multi-tab icon if the template has related tables. If you want to start with a
blank one, click "Add a new blank table". The newly added tables will appear in the left pane.
In the next screen capture, we have highlighted Customers table from the Northind database in
MS Access 2013. The fields or columns are in vertical order where as the rows or records are
in horizontal order. The first field Customer ID is highlighted in yellow.
|
|
Next up you have the views, and Access 2013 automatically creates views for Datasheets and Lists
for each table. You may even come across a "Summary" view, where which items of a certain field are
collected together, although this depends on what kind of table template you are using in Access 2013.
To add a view, simply select the + sign. On the other hand, if you want to edit a table,
choose the table and the view and then select "Settings/Actions". Click on the action that you want
to be performed on the view. An advantage of using views in Access is that deleting them or their
controls does not remove the original data.
To work on the data in the tables, select "Open in Browser" in the "Home" tab. In the same manner
as before, choose the table and view, and then work on the data with different action buttons.
Data can also be imported into views in Microsoft Access 2013 from an external source
(More on this below).
Finally, you should click "Save" on the Quick Access Toolbar to save the app. If you need to move
or backup your app, you will have to save it as a SharePoint app package. To do so, go to the "File"
and select "Save As" followed by "Save as Package". You will also have to select whether you want to
keep data in the package or simply save the design.
|
How to Import External Data
Data from an Excel spreadsheet or a SharePoint list along with various formats can be easily imported
into the MS Access 2013 database. To import data into an app, go to the "Add Tables" section which can
easily be spotted when you are making a new custom app. Here you can import data from different sources
like SharePoint lists, text/CSV, spreadsheets, and ODBC data resources among other places.
Note that whenever you import data into an app, a new table will be created with default views.
When you are ready to Import an Excel 2013 spreadsheet in MS Access 2013, you are going to click on
Import > Excel Spreadsheet
We have included how this looks on our end.
|
|
If the app has already been launched, click "Select" followed by "Customize in Access" to open it
in Access. Next, click "Table" in the "Home" tab. On the "Add Tables" page, you will see some choices
at the bottom of the page for the type of the data source you want to import. Click on the option of
your choice and then follow the procedure in the "Get External Data" wizard.
Remember that you cannot include additional data to existing tables in an app when using the
"Import Wizard" in Microsoft Access 2013. Moving on, you may also have to import data from the
desktop database. Since databases in Access 2013 can import more types of files than apps, you can
always import data into the database before transferring it into the app. Moreover, unlike apps,
you can supplement data in the desktop databases.
Start the process by clicking the type of file you want to create in the "Import & Link" sections on
the "External Data" tab. As before, follow the procedure in the "Get External Data" wizard.
Access 2013 Databases
Databases in Access aid users in organizing all kinds of data, such as contacts or business processes.
To begin creating a database, you will first have to select a template. Templates in Access 2013 come
pre-loaded with items like forms, queries, and table. While template options will be presented right
away as you open Microsoft Access 2013, you can even find templates over the internet. To select a
template, select "New" in the "File" tab.
Choose a template for the desktop database and assign a name to it under "File Name". As far as the
location is concerned, you can simply go with the default location Access shows beneath the file name,
or select the folder icon to choose one yourself. Once this is done, click "Create". If a "Login"
dialog box comes on the screen with options to create a users' list, select "New User" and enter details in the "User Details" form. After clicking "Save & Close", enter your user name from the list and click "Login".
On the other hand, if you see a "Security Warning" note in the Access 2013 message bar (in case you used
an online template), select "Enable Content". However, only "Enable Content" if you are sure about the
source of the template. In addition, you may have to login once again.
|
|
Creating Databases without Using Templates
If you do not want or find a template suitable to work with, you can start with a blank desktop database in Microsoft
Access 2013 as well. To select a blank database, click "New" followed by "Blank desktop database". Enter the name of the
database in the "File Name" section. After selecting the location, click "Create".
In any Access 2013 database, you will need tables to store your data. When you first open a blank database, you will come
across a plain table in the Datasheet view when information can be entered. To bring in additional tables, click "Table"
in the "Create" tab. Along with entering information in the blank field, you can even paste data from other sources.
Note that copy pasting is preferable if the data is divided into columns. If the program has no columns, such as Word,
you can convert text into table format or even use tags to divide the data. Also remember that all editing should be done
in the original before you copy and paste. Next, use the combination Ctrl+C to copy the data from the source and then open
the Access table where the data has to be added in the Datasheet view. Use the combination Ctrl+Vto paste it.
Rename the column and save it.
If you want to change the name of a column, you can do so by double-clicking its heading and then enter the changed title.
For the ease of future reference, choose a name that describes the contents accurately so that you don't have to open
every column in MS Access 2013 to see what it contains. Further columns can be added by typing in the "Click to Add"
section. Columns can be easily moved. All you have to do is click on the column heading and then drag to any location
you want. Adjacent columns can also be dragged to other locations in the same manner.
|
|
Creating a Form that Comes into View at Startup
To start off, it is possible to create an unbound form that will come into view when you launch the Microsoft Access 2013.
Here is how you can create a form.
Go to the 揅reate tab on the Ribbon and in the 揊orms section, click 揊orm Design?
You will now see a form in Design View. You have to save this form either by using the combination Ctrl+S or
bysimply selecting 揝ave in the Quick Access toolbar. You will also have to designate a name for the name when you
save it.
Once this is done, you will move on to create the AutoExec macro that opens the form when you open the
Access 2013 database. When you create a new macro, a blank macro will appear on the screen, and you have
to add an OpenForm action to it. When prompted to type the Form Name argument, use the same name that
you set for the form created previously. To do so, simply click the Form Name argument, click its down
arrow and select the form you created from the drop-down menu that comes into view.
Click 揧es to save the macro. Note that you have to name it AutoExec since this name will prompt it
to open the form automatically. Once again go to the 揅reate tab of the Ribbon and click 揗acro
in the 揗acros & Codes section. This second macro will be created to store the submacros for your
buttons in MS Access 2013. Save this macro and to avoid any confusion, give it a different name than
your form. Finally, start adding buttons by clicking the tab for the form to complete the process.
If you want to quickly create a Data entry form in MS Access 2013, you can do the following:
Select table and then do Create > Form
|
|
|
Related Resources on Access 2013
-
Different ways of using Microsoft Access data in MS Excel
-
How to create database in MS Access 2010
-
Try Acess Online Training for No Money Down!!
-
Overview of the utilities of Microsoft Sharepoint
|
|
Learning Microsoft Access 2013 Functions
You cannot understand the functions of Microsoft Access 2013 just by looking at their names, but the
揌elp section can provide some guidance. To open the 揌elp window, go to the 揈xpression Builder
and in its left corner you will find the 揊unctions folder with a + sign next to it. When you click
the sign, the list will expand. Next, go to the first column of the 揈xpression Builder and select
揃uilt-In Functions and you will see the category names being displayed in the column on the center.
To see functions within a category listed in the 3rd column, click the name of the category in the
middle column. Alternatively you can click in the middle column to view all the functions in
the 3rd column. Click the name of the function for which you want some additional details about. You
will find the 揌elp option in the top-right edge of the 揈xpression Builder?
If there is no help for a particular function, simply type its name in the Access Help search box.
Note that functions will be categorized by their type, so if you know the purpose of a function, type
it in to make your search easier.
Somewhat of an advanced topic, but remember that Database Tools in Access 2013 give you quite a few
options including Database Relationships and Compact/Repair tools. Here is a computer GUI of this shown
right below.
|
|
The things that can be done with Access 2010 through
this options screen are vital to the user of this
database application. For example, Access 2010 can allow
a user to control general options that relate to how the
calculations are going to be handled on a database. It
also works to give users the ability to change
proofreading standards and how objects are handled.
Other Access 2010 features can be altered in the menu
with functionality in mind. These include such functions
as language, the ribbon icons and bars that can be used
and the ways how Quick Access can work.
The Trust Center is a very convenient feature to use.
This Access 2010 function allows the user to change the
security features of Access 2010. This includes changing
how the program can work with other Office applications.
This includes changes to the trusted documents,
locations and publishers that documents can work
through. There are also controls to determine if certain
add-ins can be brought in with digital signatures or
not. This can be beneficial but it may end up
influencing the way how a computer can work with
different kinds of functions in mind.
MS Access 2010 Ribbon
The Ribbon can be customized as well. This includes
changing the ribbon with regards to the different types
of functions that can be listed here. These include such
functions as the Form, Report, Print and Table
functions. The options that can be used here will vary
by each type of program that may be used here.
|
|
Insert Menu of Access 2010
One
part of Access 2010 to use is the Insert menu. This is
used to insert a variety of different things into
an Access 2010 file. These include other Office files
from different types of programs in the Office
family.
-Tables: building blocks
of database, used to hold all the underlying data
-Forms: data entry forms to input
or update table information
-Query: used to pull
information from different tables into one
location
-Reports: output data from a table or a
query
-Modules: used to get the program to work with
more efficiency.
|
|
How to insert data
in Access 2010
An interesting point about the Access 2010 menu is
that it is practically the same as what was used in
Access 2007. Therefore, an experienced member can have
an easier time with using Access 2010 without any
substantial problems. This is a smart function of Access
2010 that any person can take advantage of.
After you create a table in MS Access 2010, you can
add data to it by double clicking the table under All
Access Objects in the left pane. In our case we added a
table called AddictiveTips, now we are going to add data
into it.
This is illustrated in the follow
screen capture.
|
|
Format Menu in MS Access 2010
The next part of Access 2010 to review is the Format
menu. This menu is used to change how the Access 2010
database looks. This includes the use of creating
different rows and columns alongside different kinds of
heights and widths. The fonts can be changed as well.
Here is a screen shot of the options under Format
menu
|
|
|
A big point about the Format section of Access 2010
is that it can be used to handle the creation of
subdatasheets. These can be used to create further
details on data in a screen. This can be used to create
a more appealing looking type of tool for anyone to
handle. The goal of this is to make the database look
proper so it will be easier to not only read but also
easy to navigate around.
2010 MS Access Records Menu
The Records menu of Access 2010 can work to control
the records that are used. This includes determining
which records are going to be viewed in a table or
report. A filter can be used to get the records to be
changed. The data can even be sorted in a variety of
orders for the needs that are required out of a
particular database. This is a good function of Access
2010 that can make it easy for anyone to work with
underlying Access database table data properly.
Quick Start option in Microsoft Access
One unique feature of Access 2010 that was not
available in prior editions of Access is the Quick Start
feature. This can be used to add commonly used fields
into a database table. This will be used to make it
easier for an Access database to be created with
different functions.
These are the options available under the Quick Start
menu.
|
|
The subsets that are used in these areas will vary
according to the option that is being used. For example,
the Address section will include database for individual
street addresses, city, state or province and zip or
postal code boxes. This is used in Access 2010 to make
the process of entering data for individual things easy
for anyone to handle. There is no need to worry about
too many steps to get something to work.
SharePoint Features with 2010 MS Access
The last feature of Access 2010 to see is the
SharePoint function. This works in that an Access 2010
file can be moved to Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010.
This can be used to get an Access 2010 file out to a
server so it can be seen and edited by a variety of
different people who have access to the same program
over the Corporate Intranet. This online collaboration
helps with better communication among team members
across difference geographical location. Here is an
Access database table in Sharepoint.
|
|
|
In fact, the database can be used on an online
browser or through an Access 2010 client that is on a
server. This is used to make it so a business will have
an easier time with editing the programs that it is
getting into. Business productivity can easily increased
with this useful feature.
Programming with MS Access 2010
Another amazing feature about Access 2010 comes from
how extremely easy it is to get a few lines of code
added into a program. A user can work to handle
databases without writing any piece of code. This works
through a variety of different functions including the
Expression Builder. This tool is used to calculate
formulas with ease and without any errors involved in
them. Underlying programming in Microsoft Access is done
with Visual Basic for Applications.
The Macro Designer is another point to remember with
Access 2010. This can work to implement certain actions
easily handled in the program solving many problems
involved. An image of the Macro Designer can be seen at
the bottom. This program should be very simple for any
Access 2010 user to handle.
|
|
|
It is also easy to change how Access 2010 can
look. It can work with its current appearance standard
or with a Classic Menu design. This Classic design can
be used to make Access 2010 look closer to the 2007
edition of the program. This might be useful for those
who want to use the great features of Access 2010 while
at the same time not being too confused when going from
one older version of the program to a newer one.
Building Functions with MS Access
These are programming functions that show just how
well Access 2010 can work for anyone's database creation
needs. You can see we are using if then logic here
within the Access database.
|
|
Useful links for Office and Access 2010
Training:
Of course, there are many other functions for Access
2010 for anyone to review. The best thing to do in this
case is to take a look at some important online
resources for finding out details on all that Access
2010 has to offer.
For those who require extra information
about Access 2010 the following links may be a good
ones to visit.
-Access 2010 - Basic Tutorial
-Try Access 2010 Training for 7-day FREE trial!
- Get started with Office 2010
- Access 2010 Download and Resources - Microsoft Homepage
- What's new in MS Access 2010 - Database Journal
|
|
|
| |
|
|
