Introduction
As the most popular database management program on the market, Microsoft Access didn't need much improvement. But with the release of Access 2003, Microsoft managed to further enhance the way people organize, access, and share information.

In this new version, Access is more capable than ever, thanks to additional features like automatic error checking, automatic property updating, and the expanded ability to import, export, and work with Extensible Markup Language (XML) data files. The number of features it offers is truly impressive--and potentially daunting.

Anyone baffled by the multitude of features and functionality in Microsoft Access can get up to speed quickly with the help of Access 2003 Personal Trainer. Part of our new Personal Trainer Series, this book lets people of any technical level learn exactly what they need to know at their own pace. Unlike many consumer software tutorials that dumb down the material or present it in a confusing fashion, this book is written in a non-technical and engaging style that readers find fun, easy, and informative.

This book will not only help existing users, but those who received Access as part of Microsoft Office and are now ready to dip their toe in the water. It starts with Access fundamentals and then moves on to tables, fields, queries, forms, reports, macros, and advanced topics like linking information from an external source.
To best guide learning, Access 2003 Personal Trainer includes detailed diagrams, dozens of task-oriented lessons, and a fully interactive training simulation CD--everything you need to become an Access pro.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1. The Fundamentals
Lesson 1.1. Introduction to Databases
Lesson 1.2. What's New in Access 2003
Lesson 1.3. Starting Access and Opening a Database
Lesson 1.4. Understanding the Access Program Screen
Lesson 1.5. Using Menus
Lesson 1.6. Using Toolbars
Lesson 1.7. Filling Out Dialog Boxes
Lesson 1.8. Keystroke and Right Mouse Button Shortcuts
Lesson 1.9. Opening and Modifying Database Objects
Lesson 1.10. Working with Multiple Windows
Lesson 1.11. Tour of a Table
Lesson 1.12. Adding, Editing, and Deleting Records
Lesson 1.13. Tour of a Form
Lesson 1.14. Tour of a Query
Lesson 1.15. Tour of a Report
Lesson 1.16. Previewing and Printing a Database Object
Lesson 1.17. Selecting Data
Lesson 1.18. Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Data
Lesson 1.19. Using Undo
Lesson 1.20. Checking Your Spelling
Lesson 1.21. Getting Help
Lesson 1.22. Changing the Office Assistant and Using the Button
Lesson 1.23. Using the Zoom Box
Lesson 1.24. Closing a Database and Exiting Access
Chapter One Review
Chapter 2. Creating and Working with a Database
Lesson 2.1. Planning a Database
Lesson 2.2. Creating a Database Using the Database Wizard
Lesson 2.3. Creating a Blank Database
Lesson 2.4. Creating a Table Using the Table Wizard
Lesson 2.5. Modifying a Table and Understanding Data Types
Lesson 2.6. Creating a New Table from Scratch
Lesson 2.7. Creating a Query in Design View
Lesson 2.8. Modifying a Query
Lesson 2.9. Sorting a Query Using Multiple Fields
Lesson 2.10. Developing AND and OR Operators
Lesson 2.11. Creating a Form with the Form Wizard
Lesson 2.12. Creating a Report with the Report Wizard
Lesson 2.13. Creating Mailing Labels with the Label Wizard
Lesson 2.14. Database Object Management
Lesson 2.15. File Management
Lesson 2.16. Compacting and Repairing a Database
Lesson 2.17. Converting an Access Database
Chapter Two Review
Chapter 3. Finding, Filtering, and Formatting Data
Lesson 3.1. Finding and Replacing Information
Lesson 3.2. Sorting Records
Lesson 3.3. Filtering by Selection
Lesson 3.4. Filtering by Form
Lesson 3.5. Creating an Advanced Filter
Lesson 3.6. Adjusting Row Height and Column Width
Lesson 3.7. Rearranging Columns
Lesson 3.8. Changing Gridline and Cell Effects
Lesson 3.9. Freezing a Field
Lesson 3.10. Hiding a Column
Lesson 3.11. Changing the Datasheet Font
Chapter Three Review
Chapter 4. Working with Tables and Fields
Lesson 4.1. Understanding Field Properties
Lesson 4.2. Indexing a Field
Lesson 4.3. Adding a Primary Key to a Table
Lesson 4.4. Inserting, Deleting, and Reordering Fields
Lesson 4.5. Changing a Field's Data Type
Lesson 4.6. Using Field Descriptions
Lesson 4.7. Adding a Caption
Lesson 4.8. Changing the Field Size
Lesson 4.9. Formatting Number, Currency, and Date/Time Fields
Lesson 4.10. Formatting Number, Currency, and Date/Time Fields by Hand
Lesson 4.11. Formatting Text Fields
Lesson 4.12. Setting a Default Value
Lesson 4.13. Requiring Data Entry
Lesson 4.14. Validating Data
Lesson 4.15. Creating an Input Mask
Lesson 4.16. Creating a Lookup Field
Lesson 4.17. Creating a Value List
Lesson 4.18. Modifying a Lookup List
Chapter Four Review
Chapter 5. Creating Relational Databases
Lesson 5.1. Understanding Table Relationships
Lesson 5.2. Creating Relationships Between Tables
Lesson 5.3. Enforcing Referential Integrity
Lesson 5.4. Testing Referential Integrity & Printing and Deleting Table Relationships
Lesson 5.5. Understanding Relationship Types
Chapter Five Review
Chapter 6. Working with Queries
Lesson 6.1. A Quick Review
Lesson 6.2. Understanding the Different Types of Queries
Lesson 6.3. Creating a Multiple-Table Query
Lesson 6.4. Creating a Calculated Field
Lesson 6.5. Working with Expressions and the Expression Builder
Lesson 6.6. Using an IIf Function
Lesson 6.7. Summarizing Groups of Records
Lesson 6.8. Display Top or Bottom Values
Lesson 6.9. Parameter Queries
Lesson 6.10. Finding Duplicate Records
Lesson 6.11. Finding Unmatched Records
Lesson 6.12. Crosstab Queries
Lesson 6.13. Delete Queries
Lesson 6.14. Append Queries
Lesson 6.15. Make-Table Queries
Lesson 6.16. Update Queries
Chapter Six Review
Chapter 7. Working with Forms
Lesson 7.1. Creating a Form with AutoForm
Lesson 7.2. Modifying a Form
Lesson 7.3. Adding and Deleting Fields
Lesson 7.4. Moving and Sizing Controls
Lesson 7.5. Changing the Tab Order
Lesson 7.6. Working with Control Properties
Lesson 7.7. Control Property Reference
Lesson 7.8. Working with Form Properties
Lesson 7.9. Form and Report Property Reference
Lesson 7.10. Working with Multiple Controls
Lesson 7.11. Adding, Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Controls
Lesson 7.12. Changing a Control's Data Source
Lesson 7.13. Creating a Calculated Control
Lesson 7.14. Changing a Control's Default Value
Lesson 7.15. Using the Control Wizard
Lesson 7.16. Creating a Subform
Lesson 7.17. Modifying and Working with Subforms
Chapter Seven Review
Chapter 8. Working with Reports
Lesson 8.1. Creating a Report with AutoReport
Lesson 8.2. Modifying a Report
Lesson 8.3. Adding and Deleting Fields
Lesson 8.3. Moving and Sizing Controls
Lesson 8.5. Adjusting Page Margins and Orientation
Lesson 8.6. Adding Page Numbers and Dates
Lesson 8.7. Understanding Report Sections
Lesson 8.8. Grouping and Sorting Records
Lesson 8.9. Creating Calculated Controls
Lesson 8.10. Working with Section Properties
Lesson 8.11. Creating Charts with the Chart Wizard
Chapter Eight Review
Chapter 9. Formatting Forms and Reports
Lesson 9.1. Formatting Fonts with the Formatting Toolbar
Lesson 9.2. Changing Text Alignment
Lesson 9.3. Using AutoFormat
Lesson 9.4. Changing Colors
Lesson 9.5. Applying Special Effects
Lesson 9.6. Using the Format Painter
Lesson 9.7. Adding Pictures and Lines
Lesson 9.8. Aligning Controls with One Another
Lesson 9.9. Changing a Control's Formatting Properties
Chapter Nine Review
Chapter 10. Working with Macros
Lesson 10.1. Creating and Running a Macro
Lesson 10.2. Editing a Macro
Lesson 10.3. Working with Macro Groups
Lesson 10.4. Assigning a Macro to an Event
Lesson 10.5. Creating Conditional Expressions
Lesson 10.6. Assigning a Macro to a Keystroke Combination
Lesson 10.7. Macro Action Reference
Chapter Ten Review
Chapter 11. Advanced Topics
Lesson 11.1. Importing Information
Lesson 11.2. Exporting Information
Lesson 11.3. Importing Objects from Another Access Database
Lesson 11.4. Linking Information from an External Source
Lesson 11.5. Analyzing Records with Microsoft Excel
Lesson 11.6. Exporting Records to Microsoft Word
Lesson 11.7. Mail Merging Records to Microsoft Word
Lesson 11.8. Using Hyperlink Fields
Lesson 11.9. Using OLE Object Fields
Lesson 11.10. Displaying Database Object Dependencies
Chapter Eleven Review