EXPLORING ACCESS

1.6. UNDERSTANDING DATABASE OBJECTS

An Access database can contain various types of database objects, including tables, queries, forms, reports, macros, and modules. The following section briefly introduces the four main database objects. All database objects can be accessed from the Navigation Pane.

1. Tables: 

The basic building block of any database is a table. A database table is similar in appearance to a list or spreadsheet, in that the data is stored in rows and columns.

A database can have many tables. A table should only contain records related to a particular subject. When tables contain data related to a single subject type, it is easier to search for and locate data. For example, you may have a table called customers containing information about your customers with a separate table called orders. You can then link the tables by creating a relationship, connecting each customer with their associated orders.

Queries: 

Queries allow users to locate data from one or more tables according to specific search criteria. The data you want to retrieve may be stored in several tables, and a query allows you to view data from several tables in a single datasheet. In addition, because you generally do not want to see all the information at once, queries allow you to select certain fields and add criteria to retrieve only specific records.

The result of a query is called a record set or result set. You can view the result set on the screen, print it, copy it to the clipboard, or use the output of the query as the record source for a form or report

Forms:

Forms are commonly used as data entry screens. They are user-friendly interfaces for working with data, and they often contain elements and command buttons that make entering data and performing various other tasks quick and easy.

Reports:

You use reports to print and summarise data. Each report is formatted to present the information in the most readable way possible. You can format any report to fit your requirements and you can create custom reports as well.