Microsoft Access has a lot of features, but many fail to take advantage of it because the program seems so difficult to use. But these tips will help you learn how to use Microsoft Access and be more productive. Many of the features in Access can be learned more easily by using its Query Wizard, so you should use it.
Query a Database
Step 1
Launch Access and open the database that you will query.
Step 2
In Access 2007, click “Query Wizard” from the Create tab. Choose “Simple Query Wizard” and the Wizard will appear.
Step 3
In the “Tables/Queries” drop-down list choose the table that you want to query. Go to the “Available Fields” list and double click the items that you want added to the query. Click next when all the items have been added.
Step 4
Select between a summary or detail query. If you chose Summary, select the “Summary Option” button for customization options. Click Next.
Step 5
Type a title for your query and click Finish.
Create a Date Query
Step 1
Start Access and open your database.
Step 2
Choose “Query Design” from the “Create” tab. The Show Table Dialog box will show up. At the Show Table dialog box, click a table. Close the Show Table dialog box.
Step 3
Double click the field names at the table field. At the “Criteria” field of the date field, add a date. Suppose you are looking for files processed on July 1, 2012; input the date as “#7/1/12#.” Do not forget to include the # symbol.
Step 4
Click the Run icon to run your query.
Create a Free Form Query
Step 1
Open Access and your database.
Step 2
Choose “Query Design” from the “Create” tab. When the Show Table dialog box shows up, select the table and add. Close the Show Table dialog box.
Step 3
To learn how to use Microsoft Access to make free form queries, double click the fields. Once the fields fill up the query window, add criteria to the “Criteria” field to refine your query. If you are searching for invoices over $600, use the following: “>600.”
Step 4
Click the save icon when you are finished. Click OK after you have given it a name.
Step 5
Click the Run button to process your query.
Querying Time
Step 1
Launch Access 2010 and open your database.
Step 2
Select “Query Design” from the Create tab.
Step 3
Click the Add button and put tables in the database. Close the Show Table dialog box.
Step 4
To include fields, click the name of the field and drag it to the query. Add a field for time. Click the field and “Property Sheet” button to make sure the field is formatted for time. The Format field should specify time.
Step 5
Now you can start adding criteria to the time field. If you want to check invoices processed after 9:00 am, apply the following criteria: “>#9:00:00 AM#”. The “>” signifies items following the time.
Step 6
Click the Run button.
Now that you know how to use Microsoft Access, you will have an easier time preparing tables, reports and perform other tasks. Note that the tips given above work for different versions of the program. The only difference is that the location of some of the icons may have changed.
Nick is a free lancer writer of http://www.mightyguide.net/