Chapter 1 Access

navigation pane

an area of the access window that displays and organizes the names of the objects in the database; from here you open objects for use

object window

an area of the access window that displays open objects, such as tables, queries, forms or reports; by default, each object displays on its own tab

data base

an organized collection of facts about people, events, things or ideas related to a specific topic or purpose

field properties

characteristics of a field that control how the field displays and how data can be entered in the field vary for different data types

data type

classification identifying the kind of data that can be stored in a field, such as numbers text or dates

information

data that is accurate, timely and organized in a useful manner

database management system (DBMS)

database software that controls how related collections of data are stored, organized, retrieved and secured

data

facts about people, events, things or ideas

object tab

in the object window, a tab that identifies the object and which enables you to make an open object active

first principle of a good database design

principle stating that data is organized in tables so that there is no redundant data

export

the process of copying data from one file to another file, such as an access table into an Excel spreadsheet

data source

the table or tables from which a query, form or report gathers its data

destination table

the table to which you import or append data

append

to add to the end of an object; example, to add records to the end of an existing table

link

a connection to data in another file

autoNumber data type

a data type that describes a unique sequential or random number assigned by Access as each record is entered and that is useful for data that has no distinct field that can be considered unique

query

a database object that retrieves specific data from one or more database objects, either tables or other queries, and then, in a single datasheet, displays only the data you specify

blank desktop database

a database that has no data and has no database tools- you must create the data and tools as you need them; the database is stored on your computer or the other storage device

custom web app

a database that you can publish and share with others over the internet

common field

a field included in 2 or more tables that stores the same data

multiple items forms

a form that enables you to display or enter multiple records in a table

property sheet

a list of characteristics, properties, for field or controls on a form or report in which you can make precise changes to each property associated with the field or control

database template

a preformatted database that contains prebuilt table,s queries, forms and reports that perform a specific task such as tracking events

caption

a property setting that displays a name for field in a table, query, form, or report different from the one listed as the field name

primary key

a required field that uniquely identifies a record in a table; for example, a student ID number at a college

flat database

a simple database file that is not related or linked to any other collection of data

field

a single piece of information that is stored in every record; represented by a column in a database table

record

all the categories of data pertaining to one person, place, event, thing or idea; represented by a row in a database table

best fit

an access command that adjusts the width of a column to accommodate the column's longest entry

currency data type

an access data type that describes monetary values and numeric data that can be used in mathematical calculations involving values with 1-4 decimal places

number data type

an access data type that represents a quantity, how much or how many, and may be used in calculations

form

an access object you can use to enter new records in a table or display existing records

design view

an access view that displays the detailed structure of a table, query, form, or report. for forms and reports may be the view in which some tasks must be performed and only the controls and not the data display in this view

navigation area

an area at the bottom of the access window that indicated the number of records in the table and contains controls in the forms of arrows that you click to move along the records

layout view

the access view in which you can make changes to a form or report while the data from the underlying data source displays

form view

the access view in which you can view records, but you cannot change the layout or design of the form

datasheet view

the access view that displays data organized in columns and rows similar to Excel worksheet

populate

the action of filling a database table with records

objects

the basic parts of a database that you create to store your data and to work with your data; for example, tables, queries forms and reports

normalization

the process of applying design rules and principles to ensure that your database performs as expected

import

the process of copying data from another file such as a word table or excel workbook into a separate file, such as access database