Access 2007: Designing Your Database

Access is a powerful tool for storing, manipulating, and analyzing enormous amounts of data and turning it into useful information. However, in order to have data that can be efficiently maintained, to be able to deliver accurate information, and to have a database that is expandable as needs change, you have to begin with a well designed database.

In this class you'll learn the basic principles that ensure a good design. You'll also learn the steps required to design an efficient database.

In this class you will:

• Examine the relational database design process
• Define the purpose of a new database
• Review the existing data
• Determine the preliminary list of fields to be included in the tables
• Group these fields into appropriate tables
• Normalize the data (test for possible data maintenance problems and revise the design as necessary)
• Designate the key fields required to relate data in each table to other tables
• Determine necessary table relationships
• Build the database in Access

Prerequisites: Completion of "Access 2007 Basics" or previous experience creating tables, entering data, and creating queries, forms, and reports in an Access database.