Product Description

Many people call our current era "The Age of Information." True, the body of information is increasing at an unprecedented pace, and information is more accessible than ever. But information doesn’t mean diddly–squat if you don’t know how to use it. Access 2003 All–In–One Desk Reference for Dummies is your one–stop guide to building databases and managing information with Access 2003, covering the basics like tables, queries, forms, and reports and more advanced functions such as using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) and writing code. If you want, you can go all the way to geekdom, or you can simply find out how to make the most of your data to better manage your business by:

• Creating and modifying tables and entering and editing data
• Sorting, finding, and filtering data
• Creating queries, including update queries, action queries, and the Query Wizards
• Building forms with AutoForm and Wizards
• Creating charts and graphs from your data
• Maintaining, sharing, and securing your Access database
• Letting Access do the math, whether it’s calculating simple cost per unit or performing complex financial functions

Microsoft Office Access 2003 All–In–One Desk Reference For Dummies was written by three computer gurus: Alan Simpson, author of over 80 computer books; Margaret Levine Young, co–author of several dozen computer books, including The Internet for Dummies; and Alison Barrows, book author and writer and editor of technical documentation and training material. To give you hands–on experience and demonstrate practical applications of database management, there is a Web site that complements the book and features a fully functioning mail order management database used in examples throughout the book. You can download it and follow along as you explore:

• Working with external data sources such as Microsoft SQL Server
• Writing and debugging code
• Using HTML, JavaScript, Jscript, VB Script, and Java to facilitate the exchange of information on the Internet among different programs on disparate platforms
• Using data access pages (DAP) to share information on your intranet

With Access 2003 All–In–One Desk Reference For Dummies, you’ll discover how to put information to work for you.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8853 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 840 pages

Review
“…clear explanations in plain English, and a bit of fun and humour…” (WWB, January 2005)

From the Back Cover
9 books in 1– one great price for nine handy guides

Your one–stop guide to building databases and managing information with Access 2003

Think of this book as the ultimate user–friendly Access companion, loaded with information that’s simple to find. It will have you creating and using a database in no time, and the self–contained minibooks include information that works for Access 2000, 2002, and 2003. From storing, organizing, and sharing data to customizing databases with VBA, it gives you easy Access.

The Dummies Way

• Coverage of the essentials and beyond
• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Thumbtabs and other navigation aids
• Tear–out cheat sheet
• A dash of humor and fun

About the Author
Alan Simpson is the author of over 80 computer books on all sorts of topics: Windows, databases, Web site design and development, programming, and network administration. His books are published throughout the world in over a dozen languages and have millions of copies. When not building computers or writing books about them, Alan eats or sleeps. He doesn’t have a fancy job title, because he’s never had a real job, and still doesn’t know how to tie a tie.

Margaret Levine Young has co–authored several dozen computer books about the Internet, UNIX, WordPerfect, Access, and (stab from the past) PC–File and Javelin, including The Internet For Dummies (published by Wiley Publishing, Inc.) and Windows XP Home Edition: The Complete Reference (published by Osborne/McGraw–Hill). She met her future husband Jordan in the R.E.S.I.S.T.O.R.S., a high–school computer club before there were high school computer clubs. Her other passions are her children, music, Unitarian Universalism (www.uua.org), reading, and anything to do with cooking or eating.

Alison Barrows has authored or co–authored books on Windows, the Internet, Microsoft Access, WordPerfect, Lotus 1–2–3, and other topics. In addition to writing books, Alison writes and edits technical documentation and training material. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from Wellesley College and an M.P.P. from Harvard University. In real life she hangs out with her “guys” — Parker, 3, and Mason, 1, and tries to carve out some time to practice yoga. Alison lives with her family in central Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Good introduction and great value for money.
I have just upgraded from Access 97 to Access to 2003 and I was looking for something new to guide me through the changes. I was suprised that I walked out of the bookshop with this rather than one of the usual suspects. At 766 pages long this book describes itself as a desktop reference and nine books in one. I am not sure I agree completely with those statements. However it goes much further than the normal "Dummies" series by covering Access in impressive detail without losing the clarity which makes the series deservedly popular. This is a really good introduction to Access and, when combined with the price, I would highly recommend it for new starters.

Excellent Book a Real Must to Have
This is a really good book, clear and precise. It makes even the difficult tasks look easy!

Access 2003 for Dummies 9 books in one
Not that helpful. Doesn't touch on the difficult bits you want help with, like sophisticated reports to print out directories, how to turn lower case into capitals, how to remove spaces form entries etc. etc.
Poor index doesn't help either. Expensive and not worth the money.