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  1. #1
    WCoaster is offline Novice
    Windows 10 Access 2016
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    May 2017
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    First Database Creation

    Hello,

    New to AccessForums and although I have used Excel for years to access and analyze data from databases, I have never created a database.

    I have a small project to create a DB and I am confused if I am building the structure correctly.

    Desired Output:

    1. User should select a main category (Animal, Plant, Thing)
    2. User should then pic sub-category (Animal.(Bird, Fish, ...), Plant.(Tree, Flower, ...), Thing.(Building, Appliance, ...)
    3. User is presented with results of selection (Photo, Caption, Video, Sound)
    4. User can add new items to tblContent (or other table if appropriate)


    I have included a screenshot of my relationship diagram. Please advise if this design make sense and/or if there is a better way to create this DB
    I am concerned about Primary Key in tblContent.



    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Relationship.PNG 
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ID:	28667

    Thank You for any help.

  2. #2
    orange's Avatar
    orange is offline Moderator
    Windows 10 Access 2010 32bit
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    Sep 2009
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    Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; West Palm Beach FL
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    Start with a clear, simple English (no jargon) of what you are trying to automate/support with this database.
    You are telling/showing us HOW you have done something. We trying to sort out what that something is.

  3. #3
    WCoaster is offline Novice
    Windows 10 Access 2016
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    Does the desired out put list not explain what I am trying to accomplish?
    Select a category
    Refine selection in sub category
    see results

    Am I missing something?

    Do I design database as I have (stratifying things seems to make sense) or would this entire data set be best accessed in one table? (Possible but seems wasteful).

  4. #4
    Micron is online now Virtually Inert Person
    Windows 7 32bit Access 2007
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    although I have used Excel for years to access and analyze data from databases, I have never created a database.
    Do yourself a favour by checking out these links. I know, it's not a direct answer to your question and that might frustrate you, but know that we're trying to get you on to the right path so that your journey is not fraught with peril. As trite as that may sound, many of the issues posted in this forum are a direct result of people unwittingly being their own worst enemy, so to speak. These links will put you way ahead of the beginner pack, because for many, the worst thing you can do is port your spreadsheet paradigm over to the creation of a database.

    Normalization Parts I, II, III, IV, and V
    http://rogersaccessblog.blogspot.ca/...on-part-i.html
    and/or
    http://holowczak.com/database-normalization/

    Entity-Relationship Diagramming: Part I, II, III and IV
    http://rogersaccessblog.blogspot.ca/...ng-part-i.html

    How do I Create an Application in Microsoft Access?
    http://rogersaccessblog.blogspot.ca/...cation-in.html

    Important for success:
    One source about how to name things - http://access.mvps.org/access/general/gen0012.htm
    What not to use in names - http://allenbrowne.com/AppIssueBadWord.html
    About Auto Numbers
    - http://www.utteraccess.com/wiki/Autonumbers
    - http://access.mvps.org/access/general/gen0025.htm

    The evils of lookup fields - http://access.mvps.org/access/lookupfields.htm
    Table and PK design tips - http://www.fmsinc.com/free/newtips/primarykey.asp

    The process you described in your first post suggests you will also need to know about "cascading" combo boxes, where selections made govern subsequent selections. There's a million links on that, but I suggest you start with the links provided. If the presentation is not to your liking, there's usually a video somewhere that covers the subject. Hope that helps.
    The more we hear silence, the more we begin to think about our value in this universe.
    Paraphrase of Professor Brian Cox.

  5. #5
    WCoaster is offline Novice
    Windows 10 Access 2016
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    Excellent!
    Thank You.

    Yes I was onto the cascading combo box link and it was in trying to implement that that I started to wonder about the DB structure itself.

  6. #6
    orange's Avatar
    orange is offline Moderator
    Windows 10 Access 2010 32bit
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    In addition to the excellent links Micron provided, I am going to add some others that you may find helpful.
    See the links on this post for more info on database planning and design.

    As for does your post #1 not explain what you are trying to do, partly. But, it is better for you and readers to understand the context of the post. And, you don't build or design a database in isolation. A database is designed and developed to automate/support some "business" ( or requirement -however vague it may be). Database structure is all about tables and relationships. Tables deal with the data/subject matter and relationships are based on business rules/facts.

    Readers shouldn't have to guess what your requirement is. And you (especially starting with database) should not embark on a strategy of trial and error. You can do that; I'm just saying it is an exceptionally poor strategy.
    Get familiar with the underlying concepts of relational database design, it will make your database experience quite rewarding.

    If you briefly scan through a number of posts on a few forums, you'll see that most issues revolve around getting clarification of the poster's requirements. At least, that has been my experience on several forums. So bear with us and do the analysis of the problem/opportunity in business terms before jumping too quickly into physical Access.


    Good luck with your project and your database activity.

Please reply to this thread with any new information or opinions.

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