Since I’ve had more than one request to update, I thought I’d share the outline for my MS Access training for faculty/staff that’s going on in the next few weeks. I know Access is pretty evil. Hell, I hate Access… but it is by far the easiest RDBMS system out there and the most sensible program out there for training new users.

MS Acccess I [Introduction to Databases]-

This is a huge subject. We will not be able to come close to covering everything.

Mostly informative – not very much ‘hands on time’ today.

What is a database?

Why do we use databases?

Databases Vs. Spreadsheets

Why Access?

Practical Applications for Faculty/Staff

• Keeping track of students
• Lab Statistics Example [[picture], tables]

Terminology[coupled with examples] –

• data
• table
• field
• row
• column
• query
• form
• report

Sample Access Database

MS Access II [Collecting Data]-

Recap of Access I.

How to set things up—questions to ask yourself:

Planning is the most important element of managing data.

• What data are we collecting?
• How will it be used?
• Is our data related?
• How is the data going to be collected?
• Who is entering it?

Entering Data – Datasheet View, Forms
Forms – Designing, wizards—more in depth

MS Access III [Making Data Work for you]-

Working with Data – the importance of the set up and planning

Reports

• Wizards, More In Depth

Queries

• Wizards, More In Depth