Restarting Access

[alanfallow]

Hi
I wonder if someone could point me in the right direction. Sorry if it has been repeated.
I used Access many years ago when I was at college, I have been recently using Filemaker "sorry" which is fairly simple to use. The problem being is the running on other pc's etc and the cost of hosting etc.

I have the use of Access at my place of work and at home. I would like to create a system for my Scouts where I have all their records including badges etc. Also I would like to record their subscriptions for each term and possibly record expenditure for camps etc.

File maker was fairly easy to set up but I would like to come over to Access.



I just wondered if it was as easy to set up such a system in Access. And how easy would it be to host it on the web. File maker had portals etc for displaying data from a table which made it simple. Does Access have these things.

What is the easiest version og Access to use, we have 2007 and 2010.

Sorry for all the silly question but I would really like to get away from filemaker and into Access.
Thanks for any pointers etc that could help me.
Thankyou.

[rpeare]

I know for sure Access 2013 has the ability to build a web database, I don't know about 2010 or 2007 versions. But I think the web databases are much more limited in what you can do with them. For instance you can't use any vb code in them (I think, I haven't tried). Your database does not sound horribly complex though and I don't see a reason it couldn't be done, it would rely heavily on what data you are actually collecting. For instance if you are just keeping track of whether a scout has a particular badge as a yes/no that's one thing, if you want to track the date they obtained it, any comments related to the badge, the instructor, etc that's another thing entirely. If you have 2010 see if you can create a web database, if you can try that route.

[alanfallow]

Hi.
Firstly thank you for replying the last forum I was on never took the trouble to reply.
I think I will forget the web route and just go pc. I know a wee bit about relational databases. I will probably collect date badge done etc. I'm guessing that would be a table for each thing and relate them? I think 2010 is quite hard to vavigate around so might stick to 2007 not sure yet. One other main reason I changed to Access over Filemaker is that Access is I think used more and installed in nearly every PC.

I will have a wee play around and see how I get on. Is menu systems fairly easy to make?.
Thanks again for your comments.

[rpeare]

Personally I despise the ribbon system MS access has gone to from 2007 forward but there's no way that I know of to go to the 'classic' view but the functionality of all the database stuff is still the same so there's no real difference between version 2007+

How you design your db depends entirely on WHAT you want to collect. your project can be extremely complex, or extremely easy and anywhere in between depending on what you want to collect and report on.

[JoeM]

One department at my work uses FileMaker, which I believe is just a single table database program. So Access should definitely be able to handle it. The trick will be converting that single FileMaker table into a Relational Database in Access with multiple tables. If you are familiar with the concepts of Relational Databases and the Rules of Normalization, it shouldn't be too bad.

[alanfallow]

Ok. Thanks for for reply. I will have a go and see how I get on. Watch this space.:-)

[ItsMe]

It is easy to export reports to create static HTML files using Access. I have not tried to create dynamic pages using Access since 2005 so I do not know what the current capabilities/limitations are. Web Dev, in general, is rapidly changing. For that reason alone I would opt for the latest version of Access in a blind attempt to not limit web options.

It is not easy building a proper RDBMS but data management is all about the dividends, not the upfront investment.

[alanfallow]

Thanks will have a go. Think I will leave the web stuff till I get into access. I have a few books for reference too. Does it have a menu system now or is it still the switchboard.
thanks again.

[ItsMe]

There is a thing called "Navigation Control". There is a wizard that will build a form dedicated to the control. It behaves like a WYSIWYG web designer. I have not realized any benefits in employing it. I believe it has advantages when using SharePoint.

[alanfallow]

Ok will have a look thanks it it used to be a layout.
The only problem I can think of is I will be entering transactions lf items bought for camps so will need to fathom that out.
Thanks again.

[ssanfu]

I would recommend creating your own start-up form.
In my experience it is much easier to design the form "look and feel" the way you want it, rather than to use the Switchboard.

Before you start hitting keys:
Start with paper (or whiteboard, window, ...) to design your tables/ relationships. Post back with your structure for comments.
Sketch the forms on paper (or whiteboard, window, ...) to design the flow from form to form.

This is easier than keying in the fields and forms, then realizing it won't work the way you want/need.

good luck. post back with questions.

[ItsMe]

Navigation Control and a couple other things were introduced in A2010 that would probably help in a web environment. Calculated fields in tables is another one that comes to mind. Format view is an option in 2010 that I do not use. If my first exposure to Access was a newer version I might have embraced format. I prefer my old dog ways when designing forms and reports in Access.

[alanfallow]

Thanks very much I will enter my structure and post and see the feedback.

[alanfallow]

Hi hope his is ok havent fathomed out how to do structure so attatched a pdf.
Thanks if anyone can have a look and comment.
Thanks.

[alanfallow]

Seem to be getting back to it now, fathomed out that filemaker has portals where access has subforms. Thanks again.