oncetherewasabo

Probably the wrong topic, but here goes. For one of my classes we are to create a microsoft access database. Unfortunately, the professor never showed us how to use access in any way, shape, or form. The database isn't too complicated, it's just that I have no idea how to do anything in access. Basically, he wants us to create a gradebook that he can use to enter in students grades. What he wants is a gradebook where he can enter in the students grades while also entering in information on what tasks and objectives of each assignment were completed by the student for optimal feedback. He briefly explained what tables we are suppose to use. Actually, we're not supposed to use them, but he just gave an example. 1) A students table with fields of SSN, First and Last Name, and Email Address. 2) An assignments table with the assignment ID and name. 3) Tasks with fields of id description and instructions (tasks are just the different parts of each assignment) 4) Objectives with fields of ID, Description, and Point Value. The objectives are just the course objectives given in the syllabus. For example, each assignment includes many different tasks and each task fills numerous course objectives. There is also a table of student_assignment, assignment_task, and task_objective. Somehow we're suppose to link two tables together to form the last three? I'm sure this is making absolutely no sense to anyone, but I'd really appreciate it if someone with access could help me out a bit, this is really stressing me out. This database requires no real bells or whistles, just the basics. THanks in advanced and if you need any clarifications (i'm sure you do), let me know.

kazoo

Not to be nasty, but I learned MS Access by f*cking with it. I created databases of my videos, CD's, and created reports. Many starts, many angry data wipes, but that's how you learn.

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onetime2

The first step is creating the Database.

1. Go into Access and when the first prompt comes up, click on Create new Database using Blank Database then name it something.

2. You will now need to create some tables to hold the data. I would probably create the tables in Excel and then import them into Access. Make sure you have a heading row for the file with the names of columns like Student Name, Social Security Number, or whatever. Don't put any extraneous information in the files. It should only include a header row and then the data right under it.

3. When you are done creating the tables in Excel go to the "Tables" tab in Access. Use the "File" pulldown and choose "Get External Data" and choose "Import". This will allow you to browse for your files. Make sure you change the default "Files of Type" to "Microsoft Excel". A prompt will come up for the importation of the data. Choose "First Row Contains Column Headings". Click Next and say you want it added into a "New Table". You then can format the data to some extent while importing it by designating it text or numbers and the like.

4. Once you have your tables imported, you will need to link them. If each table has a unique identifier (let's say the social security number is in all three tables) you need to use that to link the two tables to create the third. Go to the "Queries" tab. Choose "New" and "Design View". Now double click on the tables you need to combine. This will pop those tables onto your workspace and show you the various columns in each. Drag the unique identifier from one table to the same unique identifier in the other table. This will draw a line between the tables linking those two fields. In the toolbar there is a symbol with two spreadsheets overlapping (Query Type). Click the arrow next to this symbol and choose "Make Table". Then name the table that will be created. Choose which fields from the two tables you want to appear in the final table by double clicking on their names. This will bring the names down to the lower portion of the screen. When you run the query (By pushing the exclamation point symbol on the tool bar) your new table will be created.

I think these instructions will get you started. I'll be in meetings all day so I won't be able to offer any other help today. Good luck.

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maleficent

Access has Wizards built into it -- that will basically take you thru all the steps that you need to build a database. You can always go back in and tweak stuff later.

It's also got every extensive help available to you.

This is a relatively simple database to put together if you break it down into steps.

I gotta ask -- what's this class for?

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Lebell

Well, the basic questions have been answered as to "how", but I'm surprised that your professor didn't give you more help.

I'm also curious as to what class this is.

Is it a database design class and do you understand normalization, bridge tables, and primary/foriegn keys etc. or are these new concepts?

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oncetherewasabo

The class is Management Information Systems Concepts. Our teacher says it's not a database class, but a business class. And part of business is to "figure out a problem". He has told us absolutely nothing on how to use access, he says that's up to us to figure it out. So while this database may not be complicated, considering I have no idea how to use access, it is to me. Thanks for all the help, I'm going to spend quite a bit of time today trying to figure it out. If anyone has anymore help let me know. Thanks.

Ripsaw

Let me know how far you get, and if you reach something you cannot get past.

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absorbentishe

Well, you could always start in excel, then import into acces. Say creating in row 1 all the header titles, then save the file. Open access, then ususing the import feature, find your excel file. After that, go into forms and use the wizard to creat the form portion.

shakran

ahh ok, he wants you to be able to figure stuff out on your own. Well when I interned at an insurance company years ago, they told me to make them an access database. I'd never messed with it before, but the guys at www.athree.com helped me a ton. That's the best Access forum on the net.

metalgeek

Honestly, I never understood why people don't want to just futz around with a program to figure out how it works.
worst case scenario, go to your library, pick up a learn access book, read the first two chapters, and you'll be set.
(besides you should do it with php/mysql

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shakran

Access isn't really like that. Futzing around with it on your own usually gets you designing databases wrong. You don't learn about normalization, using seperate dB's for tables and all the other stuff, etc.