Creating Database & Tables in MS Access
A relational database contains multiple tables. The data is stored into the tables. In Ms-Access, a database is created and then tables are created in that database. The database file has extension “.mdb”. The tables and all other objects such as-Forms, Reports, Queries etc. are stored into database file on disk.
In Microsoft Access, a new database can be created by using one of the following methods.
- From startup dialog box.
- From Main window
Starting Microsoft Access
Like Microsoft Word or Excel, MS-Access program can be- started from Start menu of Windows or by dou6le clicking the shortcut on the desktop (if it exists on desktop). The most common way to start MS-Access is by using Start menu.
- To start MS-Access from Start menu, follow these steps.
- Click the Start button on the taskbar, Start menu appears.
- Select Programs menu from Start menu, a submenu appears.
- Click Microsoft Access, a startup dialog box appears with different options will be shown.
The options of MS-Access startup dialog box are:
- “Blank Access database“: used to create new database.
- “Access database wizards, pages & projects“: used to create new database through wizard by selecting tables and fields for each table. You can create a project very quickly to manipulate the database.
- “Open an existing file“: used to open the existing database.
The important options of database window are:
i) Create table in Design view
This option is used to create table by designing its structure. The field names, their data types, primary key and other validation rules are defined. It is called the design view of table.
ii) Create table by using wizard
This option is used to create table by using the wizard. User can create the table by following the guidelines of MS-Access wizard.
iii) Create table by entering data
This option is used to create table by directly entering data into the table. A window similar to the worksheet is opened having column headings as “Field1”, “FieId2” and so on. It is called the datasheet view of table. In this view, you can enter and edit the records. When you exit from this view, MS-Access asks the name of table before to close the window. MS-Access automatically defines the data types of fields by analyzing the data in the fields or columns.
MS-Access also has three icons under the Title Bar of database window:
- Open icon is used to open the table.
- Design icon is used to design the structure of table.
- New icon is used to create the new table in current database.
