Databases & MS Access

Introduction

MS Access is one of only a few MS Applications that are not intuitive. Simply put, you cannot just open MS Access and expect to start building database systems without a structured understanding of how to build databases. Though users do try... and they end up doing one of two things: Press ahead and do what they can until they admit defeat and abandon what they wanted to do or revert to MS Excel and try to use MS Excel as their platform instead. And there is a clear reason for that... MS Access is a relational database platform for the desktop environment. It requires the user to understand what ‘relational’ means and in the broader context of the concepts that underpin expertise in database design. It requires an understanding of how the elements can be related together to produce what was required. That’s why the course is titled with ‘Databases’ and ‘MS Access’, these entities are both distinct and critical to being able to build database systems. MS Access is a very powerful tool with great potential for the professional in a business environment. Being able to manage data is something that is a recurring requirement in virtually all roles in a business environment and being able to harness the information that it is designed to produce can deliver major benefits to the individual.