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#1
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How to create an access database 2007 from scratch
Hello all. At my local college I took Microsoft access from beginner all the
way to advanced. I got an "A" in every class, but I still have no clue how to actually design my own database in a work environment. I do not mind 'playing around' at home with hobbies ect, but now I need to create a database for work and I am completely stuck. I understand the individual skills in access but I don't know how to put them together to create something useful. I want to create a database that will track 3 different types of contracts by dept (about 8 different ones) 1) through their stages of 'pending' to when they are fully executed 2)track their money and funding sources 3) track which departments contracts will be ending at any given time, what paper work is needed for any given department ect. 5) and then be able to use this to generate various types of reports. I do not have even a clue how to begin. I am afraid if I do not have a complete plan in place before I start I will end up with a useless database. Thanks for your help. |
#2
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How to create an access database 2007 from scratch
On Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:28:10 -0700, AccessUser
wrote: I do not have even a clue how to begin. I am afraid if I do not have a complete plan in place before I start I will end up with a useless database. Take a look at: Jeff Conrad's resources page: http://www.accessmvp.com/JConrad/acc...resources.html The Access Web resources page: http://www.mvps.org/access/resources/index.html A free tutorial written by Crystal (MS Access MVP): http://allenbrowne.com/casu-22.html A video how-to series by Crystal: http://www.YouTube.com/user/LearnAccessByCrystal MVP Allen Browne's tutorials: http://allenbrowne.com/links.html#Tutorials Crystal's videos would be a good start. -- John W. Vinson [MVP] |
#4
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How to create an access database 2007 from scratch
In addition to the general advice alreeady given.....maybe here's a place to
start. It will probably be not quite right for you, but it's better than never starting. Think about what "entities" you are tracking / listings Sounds like some sure-things a 1. Contracts 2. List of Funding Sources 3. Instances of a funding source sourcing funds for a contract #3 is a list of relationships between the first two lists. If you list the relationships, are they one-to-on, one-to-many, many-to-one or many to many. My guess is it's that latters (on source can supply many contracts, one contract can have many sources. In which case it's unfortunate that your first database relationship is the toughest type, many-to-many, in which case #3 will need to be a (junction)table rather than the simpler scenerios. Feel free to shorten my long explanatory field names. Make a "Contracts" table to list contracts. Include an autonumber primary key (PK) field called "ContractIDNumber" plus fields for "one-to-one" informaiton that is specific to that contract. Make "FundingSources" a table to list funding sources. Include an autonumber PK field "FundingSourceIDNumber" Make an "InstancesOfFunding" table. to list instances of funding of a contract. For example, that the XYZ corporation agreed to partially fund Contract #1234. Include long integer type (NOT autonumber) "ContractIDNUmber" and "FundingSourceIDNumber" fields. BYW, this table is a "Junction Table" and those last two fields are Foriegn Keys (FK) Go to the relationships window, add the above 3 tables, and draw lines between same-named fields. Then build queries, forms, reports. - - - Next you are going to have to clarify to yourself (if not the forum")what all of those non-specific things that you said about departments mean. Then go through the same drill as above for departments (i.e. is every contract the "property" of only one department? etc.) and then add table(s) accordingly. |
#5
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How to create an access database 2007 from scratch
Thank you everyone for your helpful replies. I will look these over once I
figure out a plan I will post it here for feedback. I am glad I found this forum. "AccessUser" wrote: Hello all. At my local college I took Microsoft access from beginner all the way to advanced. I got an "A" in every class, but I still have no clue how to actually design my own database in a work environment. I do not mind 'playing around' at home with hobbies ect, but now I need to create a database for work and I am completely stuck. I understand the individual skills in access but I don't know how to put them together to create something useful. I want to create a database that will track 3 different types of contracts by dept (about 8 different ones) 1) through their stages of 'pending' to when they are fully executed 2)track their money and funding sources 3) track which departments contracts will be ending at any given time, what paper work is needed for any given department ect. 5) and then be able to use this to generate various types of reports. I do not have even a clue how to begin. I am afraid if I do not have a complete plan in place before I start I will end up with a useless database. Thanks for your help. |
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