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Intro

In lesson 201 of my Microsoft Access series, you will learn about relational database concepts, how to convert your existing contacts table into a relational structure by linking it to a customer table, and why relational design is important. I will show you how to create a new contacts query and form, use a combo box to select values from another table, and discuss the basics of global relationships. This lesson builds on Microsoft Access 104 and is designed for intermediate users using any version of Microsoft Access.

Transcript

Welcome to Microsoft Access 201 Intermediate Microsoft Access, brought to you by 599CD.com. I am your instructor, Richard Rost.

In today's lesson, we are going to learn about relational database concepts. The databases that we have built in previous Access classes have not been relational. Today, we are going to teach you about relational databases, what they are, and why they are important.

We are going to make our contacts table that we built in the last class relational. We are going to relate it to our customer table. We will build a new contacts query and a new contacts form.

We will show you how to use a combo box to select an item from a list of values. We will get that list of values from a different table. We will have a brief discussion on global relationships.

This class follows Microsoft Access 104. It is the fifth class in our Microsoft Access series. If you did not take that class or any of the ones before it, head over to our website at 599CD.com. Get your copy today. We recommend you watch those classes first, even if you are an Access expert. We cover a lot of good fundamental topics that you should have before continuing on with this class.

In this class, we are using Microsoft Access XP and Windows XP. However, all of the lessons taught today are just as valid, regardless of the version of Access or Windows that you have. Whether you have Access 97, 2000, or XP, all of the lessons should be fine for you. Your version of Windows does not matter.

We recommend you sit back and watch the first time through. Then, watch the lessons a second time following along with the examples. Do not try to learn and do this stuff too fast. Do not try to apply it immediately to what you are doing. Take some time to digest the information.

A lot of today's examples, especially the examples on combo boxes, make a lot more sense when you have gone through them a second or a third time.

We have included some database files for you. You can find them on your hard drive in your program files, and you can see the Access 201 Help folder. They are buried pretty deeply, but that is where they are installed.

We strongly recommend that you build the database yourself using all of our courses. However, if you are not on the same page as we are, and maybe you skipped some stuff, you can load up one of our databases to follow along with this class.

Most importantly, have fun. Do not always try to make Access work. Try to make it something that you can do in your spare time, or that is one of your hobbies, or something that you enjoy. Build a database.

Quiz

Q1. What is the main topic covered in this Access 201 course?
A. Basic table design
B. Relational database concepts
C. Report generation
D. Macro programming

Q2. What will the instructor make relational in this class?
A. Customer table only
B. Contacts table only
C. Contacts table related to the customer table
D. Orders table

Q3. What tool will be demonstrated to select items from a list of values?
A. Text box
B. List box
C. Combo box
D. Command button

Q4. Where will the list of values for the combo box come from?
A. The same table as the form
B. A different table
C. A spreadsheet
D. Typed into the combo box

Q5. What is recommended before taking this course?
A. Take Microsoft Access 102 only
B. Skip previous courses and start here
C. Take the previous courses in the series
D. Learn SQL first

Q6. Which versions of Access and Windows are the lessons valid for?
A. Only Access XP and Windows XP
B. Only Access 2013 and Windows 10
C. Access 97, 2000, XP, and any version of Windows
D. Only Access 2000

Q7. What does the instructor recommend for the best way to learn from the video?
A. Watch it once, then complete advanced projects
B. Watch and follow along the first time
C. Watch first, then go through examples a second time
D. Skip straight to the exercises

Q8. What is said about the included database files?
A. They are not included
B. They are available online only
C. They are installed on your hard drive in the program files
D. They are not relevant to the course

Q9. What is the most important thing to remember when learning Access, according to the instructor?
A. Memorize every detail
B. Apply it immediately to your job
C. Have fun and enjoy building a database
D. Move through the material as quickly as possible

Answers: 1-B; 2-C; 3-C; 4-B; 5-C; 6-C; 7-C; 8-C; 9-C

DISCLAIMER: Quiz questions are AI generated. If you find any that are wrong, don't make sense, or aren't related to the video topic at hand, then please post a comment and let me know. Thanks.

Summary

Today's video from Access Learning Zone covers intermediate concepts in Microsoft Access, specifically focusing on relational databases. In the previous classes, the databases we created were not truly relational, so today I'll explain what a relational database is, why it matters, and how you can apply these concepts to your own work in Access.

We'll start by taking the contacts table you built in the last class and convert it into a relational table. Then, I'll show you how to link or relate this contacts table to the customer table. As part of this process, we will create a new query for the contacts and design a new contact form.

An important skill that you'll learn today is how to use a combo box that pulls its list of values from another table. This is a fundamental part of building relational databases in Access, as it allows you to select values based on related data. I'll also discuss global relationships and share why they are useful in your database projects.

This course builds on the information presented in Microsoft Access 104, so if you haven't completed that class or any of the previous ones, I recommend visiting my website to catch up. Even experienced Access users will find valuable foundational topics in those earlier lessons, which will help you get more out of this intermediate course.

For these lessons, I am using Microsoft Access XP and Windows XP, but everything we cover will work in other versions as well, including Access 97 and 2000. The version of Windows you use will not affect the material.

To get the most from this class, I recommend watching the lessons all the way through the first time. After that, watch again while working along with the examples. There's no need to rush into applying everything immediately. It helps to take the time to fully understand the concepts, especially those around combo boxes, which often become clearer after revisiting the material.

Supporting database files are available and can be found in the Access 201 Help folder on your hard drive within your program files. The folder may be a bit buried, but that is where you will locate the materials installed with the course.

Although you can use these files, I highly encourage you to build the databases yourself as you move through the courses. This approach gives you the best learning experience. However, if you find you are out of sync with the class or missed some steps, you can use the provided database files to follow along.

Finally, remember that working with Access does not always have to feel like work. Try to see it as something you can enjoy in your spare time or as a hobby. Take the opportunity to build a database you find interesting and have fun with the process.

You can find a complete video tutorial with step-by-step instructions on everything discussed here on my website at the link below. Live long and prosper, my friends.

Topic List

Relational database concepts in Access
Making existing tables relational
Relating contacts and customer tables
Building a relational contacts query
Creating a contacts form for related data
Using a combo box to select from a list
Populating combo box values from another table
Discussion of global relationships in Access