Database Components

An Access database consists of several different components. Each component listed is called an object.

Listed below are the names and descriptions of the different objects you can use in Access. This tutorial will focus on the first two objects: tables and queries.

Tables: tables are where the actual data is defined and entered. Tables consist of records (rows) and fields (columns).

Queries: queries are basically questions about the data in a database. A query consists of specifications indicating which fields, records, and summaries you want to see from a database. Queries allow you to extract data based on the criteria you define.

Forms: forms are designed to ease the data entry process. For example, you can create a data entry form that looks exactly like a paper form . People generally prefer to enter data into a well-designed form, rather than a table.

Reports: when you want to print records from your database, design a report. Access even has a wizard to help produce mailing labels.

Pages: a data access page is a special type of Web page designed for viewing and working with data from the Internet or an intranet. This data is stored in a Microsoft Access database or a Microsoft SQL Server database.

Macros: a macro is a set of one or more actions that each performs a particular operation, such as opening a form or printing a report. Macros can help you automate common tasks. For example, you can run a macro that prints a report when a user clicks a command button.

Modules: a module is a collection of Visual Basic for Applications declarations and procedures that are stored together as a unit.

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