Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2

    Where/How do I begin?

    Hey Everyone!



    I just started trying to get into access and I long story short, I'm kind of lost trying to figure out how to get started learning how to use Access. In the past I've done 95% of my work via excel. I started using that to create simple forms and eventually used it to create data tables for analysis.

    I'm working on trying to create a type of free-form filter (for lack of better term) for this massive data sheet I have in excel, but unfortunately I think I've reached the limitations of what excel can do and I'm thinking I may have to explore Access if I want to do it right. By free form filter, I mean a filter where the user can input a list of criterias, in any order, and that the table will output that value onto a sheet. The closest example I can get to this is like McMaster Carr and how if you want to search for an item, you initially start with a huge selection of categories and each time you click another category, it updates the next selection list based on what you have previously selected and so on until you get one or two items.

    Like I said, I am ultra new to Access and I'm just trying to wrap my head around this beast of a program lol any help would go a long way

    Thanks guys

  2. #2
    ranman256's Avatar
    ranman256 is online now VIP
    Windows Vista Access 2010 32bit
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    9,521
    There's a slight learning curve to unlearn the Excel way and get the relational table think. Once done, you can get any data you need just by asking.
    Most everything can be done with forms, queries and macros.
    If you want to learn the vb programming, it can add some special features.

  3. #3
    orange's Avatar
    orange is online now Moderator
    Windows 10 Office 365
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; West Palm Beach FL
    Posts
    16,716
    There are several articles in various formats in this material on Database Planning and Design.
    I suggest the Intro to Database as a starting point. Database is built on a different object model than spreadsheet.
    The concept and practice of Normalization is key to database.

    Unlearning or trying to ignore things you have become accustomed to in Excel is often the big hurdle when moving to database.

    There are several articles on Normalization available through Google.

    For practical experience to learning database, I recommend the tutorials from RogersAccessLibrary in the link provided above.

    Good luck.

  4. #4
    Micron is offline Virtually Inert Person
    Windows 10 Access 2016
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    12,737
    As noted, db normalization is key. There are a lot of other factors that if known, can go a long way to preventing many headaches. 50 hours of study can prevent 150 hours of aggravation. This is my own stock of favourites.
    Normalization Parts I, II, III, IV, and V
    http://rogersaccessblog.blogspot.com...on-part-i.html
    and/or
    http://holowczak.com/database-normalization/

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

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

    Important for success:
    Naming conventions - http://access.mvps.org/access/general/gen0012.htm
    https://www.access-programmers.co.uk...d.php?t=225837

    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
    About calculated table fields - http://allenbrowne.com/casu-14.html
    About Multi Value Fields - http://www.mendipdatasystems.co.uk/m...lds/4594468763
    The more we hear silence, the more we begin to think about our value in this universe.
    Paraphrase of Professor Brian Cox.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    2
    Thanks everyone!

    Looks like I got some homework to do lol. I briefly looked over the concept of normalization and I think I was somewhat in the ballpark of implementing that in my datasheets, just didn't know there was a term for it. I'll definitely come back to this and let you guys know what I run into.

    Again, thank you all~

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

Similar Threads

  1. No idea where to begin
    By Kkennedy in forum Database Design
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 09-18-2017, 07:11 AM
  2. Replies: 11
    Last Post: 04-30-2014, 03:05 PM
  3. Where to begin?
    By charaia in forum Programming
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-18-2012, 05:44 PM
  4. Where do I begin...
    By ETCallHome in forum Access
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-15-2011, 08:07 AM
  5. Begin:/Endit:
    By jgelpi16 in forum Programming
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-15-2010, 02:58 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Other Forums: Microsoft Office Forums