Access 2007 1st (first) edition Text Only

Missing Manuals

by Matthew MacDonald

Compared to industrial-strength database products such as Microsoft's SQL Server, Access is a breeze to use. It runs on PCs rather than servers and is ideal for small- to mid-sized businesses and households. But Access is still intimidating to learn. It doesn't help that each new version crammed in yet another set of features; so many, in fact, that even the pros don't know where to find them all. Access 2007 breaks this pattern with some of the most dramatic changes users have seen since Office 95. Most obvious is the thoroughly redesigned user interface, with its tabbed toolbar (or "Ribbon") that makes features easy to locate and use. The features list also includes several long-awaited changes. One thing that hasn't improved is Microsoft's documentation. To learn the ins and outs of all the features in Access 2007, Microsoft merely offers online help.

Access 2007: The Missing Manual was written from the ground up for this redesigned application. You will learn how to design complete databases, maintain them, search for valuable nuggets of information, and build attractive forms for quick-and-easy data entry. You'll even delve into the black art of Access programming (including macros and Visual Basic), and pick up valuable tricks and techniques to automate common tasks -- even if you've never touched a line of code before. You will also learn all about the new prebuilt databases you can customize to fit your needs, and how the new complex data feature will simplify your life. With plenty of downloadable examples, this objective and witty book will turn an Access neophyte into a true master.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Computers, Technology

Paperback

First published December 29, 2006

About the author

Matthew MacDonald is a science and technology writer with well over a dozen books to his name. He's particularly known for his books about building websites, which include a do-it-from-scratch tutorial (Creating a Website: The Missing Manual), a look at cutting-edge HTML5 (HTML5: The Missing Manual), and a WordPress primer (WordPress: The Missing Manual). He's also written a series of books about programming on and off the Web with .NET, teaches programming at Ryerson University, and is a three-time Microsoft MVP.

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got Access 2007: The Missing Manual mainly because I wanted to know how to create forms using Access. I had enough familiarity with the Access and Excel to create basic databases but I remember creating forms using the older version of Access to be quite difficult, probably made more difficult by the fact that I had inherited the forms and was trying to fix them.

Access 2007: The Missing Manual starts the reader off with the very basics of creating simple databases. Then, gradually teaches the reader how to connect, filter, query, create forms, and print reports. Throughout, there are step by step instructions, illustrations, and tips. At first, Access seems pretty daunting but I found that by the time I got through the book, I was pretty confident taking what I learned and adapting it to my own needs.

[Julz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this after a class for which I registered was cancelled.

It seems fairly readable so far. If it can teach me what everyone says is the heinously complicated language of relational databases, then it will be a miracle!

Read this a couple of years ago, and it was very helpful. This series is my favorite for tech books, although I usually learn by Googling for tips and experimenting on my own.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

of all the tech series i've encountered i like the missing manual (o'reilly) and head first (o'reilly) ones best. missing manual for the smooth conversational yet thorough writing, and head first for making things approachable and fun.

[Topilno]

Creating Web Pages for Dummies

[Pamela]

Love the Missing Manual series!

[Heep · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good review of the subject.

[Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

About as good as you can get with this subject matter.