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Intro

In lesson 320, you will learn the basics of working with record sets in Microsoft Access. I will explain what a record set is, how to create one, and different ways you can use record sets to view and find data in your tables. We will build simple sample databases together as you get hands-on experience writing VBA code and working with forms. This class is part of our ongoing series focused on adding inventory control features to the PC resale database and is a follow-up to Microsoft Access 313.

Transcript

Welcome to Microsoft Access 320 brought to you by accesslearningzone.com. I am your instructor, Richard Rost.

This series of classes is all about record sets. Every class from 320 to 329 will focus on record set creation and offer lots of different examples with record sets. Our end goal is to add inventory control, products in and products out, purchase orders, and similar features to the PC resale database we have been building since Access 101.

In today's class, we will start with the basics of record sets. I am going to teach you what a record set is, how to create a record set, different uses for record sets, and then we will actually start working with record sets. I will show you how to use them to view and find data in a table.

This class follows Microsoft Access 313. If you have not taken that class, I strongly recommend you take it before this one. If you have advanced Access knowledge and you have not taken Access 313 yet, you should be all right as long as you are pretty familiar with how to move around in Microsoft Access and have done some VBA programming. If you have never worked with form properties, event programming, and VBA code, you might want to start with my Microsoft Access 301 class. But this class follows 313.

I will be using Microsoft Access 2003 in this class. All of the examples should be backward compatible with all the previous versions back to at least Access 2000.

I strongly recommend, especially with these classes, that you sit back, relax, watch the lesson one time through, then do it again and follow along with my examples. Actually build the databases that I will be building in these classes. I am going to be making a lot of simple sample databases instead of working on the PC-RESALE database until close to the end of the course. In fact, we will not be touching the PC-RESALE database until about Access 326. So we have about five or six classes of just small sample databases while we learn how to program with record sets.

I strongly recommend that you build the sample lessons that I am building in class because each one will teach you different and new techniques about how record sets work.

This series is not going to be all just record set programming. There will be a lot of extra material thrown in as well, including how to add options to combo boxes, how to program list boxes, multi-select list boxes, and lots of other topics in the classes from AC320 to 329.

In today's class, we will start off pretty basic, just by learning how to work with a record set, but as you move on, you will learn lots of new tips and tricks.

All of the sample database files that I build can be found at accesslearningzone.com/students. However, again, I strongly recommend you build each of these yourself in class instead of just looking at my databases. If you cannot figure out how to get something to work even after following the video, feel free to download the databases that I built and compare them.

We now have new student forums on the website. If you have not been to the website, these are brand new. In October 2008, I created a whole new series of forums for discussion on the website. Go to accesslearningzone.com/forums and you will see a Microsoft Access forum there. These are separate from the student interaction forums that show up next to the video player windows.

The student interaction forums will show up next to the videos as you are watching them if you are on our website or if you are using our video player software and are connected to the internet. The student interaction forums are specific to each lesson. So whatever lesson you are watching, if you have questions about that lesson, post them in the student interaction forums. If you have other questions of a general Access nature, visit the forums on the website.

I cannot stress enough the importance of doing the examples. You will benefit most by following all my examples and building these databases yourself through trial and error.

Now sit back, relax, and get ready for Access 320.

Quiz

Q1. What is the primary focus of the Microsoft Access 320-329 series of classes?
A. Designing user interfaces
B. Creating forms and reports
C. Working with record sets
D. Writing SQL queries

Q2. What is the end goal of the record set series described in the video?
A. To redesign the PC-RESALE database user interface
B. To add inventory control, products in and out, and purchase orders to the database
C. To create advanced reports
D. To import data from Excel

Q3. What topics will be covered in today's Access 320 class?
A. Advanced SQL queries only
B. Basics of record sets and how to use them to view and find data in a table
C. Creating forms and macros
D. Setting up database security

Q4. Which previous class does this video recommend you complete before starting Access 320?
A. Access 101
B. Access 301
C. Access 313
D. Access 326

Q5. According to the video, if you have never worked with form properties, event programming, and VBA code, which course should you start with?
A. Access 326
B. Access 318
C. Access 313
D. Access 301

Q6. Which version of Microsoft Access is being used for demonstrations in this series?
A. Access 95
B. Access 2010
C. Access 2003
D. Access 2016

Q7. Are the examples in this class backward compatible with previous versions of Access?
A. Yes, back to at least Access 2000
B. No, only compatible with Access 2003
C. No, only works with Access 2016 and newer
D. Yes, but only with Access 97

Q8. According to the instructor, what is strongly recommended for students as they follow the class?
A. Memorize all class notes
B. Build the sample databases themselves
C. Only watch the videos without practicing
D. Skip the sample lessons

Q9. When will students start using the main PC-RESALE database in this series?
A. In Access 320
B. In Access 324
C. In Access 326
D. In Access 329

Q10. Apart from record set programming, what additional topics are included in this series?
A. Only VBA coding
B. Designing website layouts
C. Options for combo boxes, list boxes, multi-select list boxes, and other tips
D. Only form properties

Q11. Where can students find the sample database files used in the videos?
A. Only on YouTube
B. At accesslearningzone.com students area
C. In Microsoft Access help files
D. On social media platforms

Q12. What new feature was introduced on the accesslearningzone.com website in October 2008?
A. A new blog section
B. Student forums for discussion
C. Email support system
D. Online quizzes

Q13. Where should students post general Microsoft Access questions?
A. In lesson-specific student interaction forums
B. Only by email
C. On the website forums
D. In the comments of the video

Q14. What is the most emphasized method for students to benefit from the course?
A. Only reading documentation
B. Building the databases themselves through trial and error
C. Watching videos multiple times without interaction
D. Attending live classes

Answers: 1-C; 2-B; 3-B; 4-C; 5-D; 6-C; 7-A; 8-B; 9-C; 10-C; 11-B; 12-B; 13-C; 14-B

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 kicks off Microsoft Access 320. I'm Richard Rost, your instructor, and in this class, we begin our exploration of record sets—a crucial concept that we'll keep building on through Access 329. For those who have been with me since Access 101, you'll recognize that our long-term aim is to bring inventory control, product tracking, purchase orders, and similar functions into the PC Resale database we've been constructing.

In this session, you'll learn the fundamentals of record sets. I'll cover what a record set is, the various ways you can create one, and how they can be used in your databases. Today, we'll focus on how to view and search for data in a table using record sets, which forms the basis for more advanced features that we'll tackle soon.

This course picks up right after Access 313. If you haven't completed that class, I recommend you take it first unless you're already comfortable navigating Access and have some VBA experience. If form properties, event programming, and VBA code are new to you, it might be best to begin with my Microsoft Access 301 class and then circle back to this one.

For this class, I'm using Microsoft Access 2003. The demonstration examples are designed to be compatible all the way back to Access 2000, so you shouldn't have trouble following along with earlier versions.

To get the most out of these lessons, I suggest you watch each one from start to finish first, then replay the video and build the databases alongside me. Most of the work in the upcoming classes will use simple, focused sample databases so you can hone your skills with record sets before we apply them to the main PC-RESALE project around Access 326. So, expect several sessions just working on sample files as you develop your programming skills with record sets.

It's very important to work through each sample lesson yourself, as each one introduces new techniques and practical insights into how record sets operate in Access.

These classes are not exclusively about record set programming. I'll also sprinkle in practical topics, such as adding choices to combo boxes, programming list boxes—including multi-select list boxes—and more, so you'll pick up a variety of useful skills along the way.

As a reminder, all the sample database files used in these lessons are available for download at the students section of accesslearningzone.com. Still, you'll learn much more by creating these databases yourself, using trial and error as you follow the video. If you ever run into problems, you can always download my versions to compare and troubleshoot.

Also, we have new student forums available on the website as of October 2008. You can participate in discussions about Microsoft Access in these forums, which are distinct from the lesson-specific student interaction forums that appear next to each video or in our video player software when you're online. If you have lesson-related questions, use the student interaction forums. For broader Access topics, visit the website forums.

Above all, the best way to master these concepts is through hands-on practice. Building the examples alongside me is the most effective way to absorb what you're learning.

So get comfortable and prepare to start Access 320. 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

What a record set is in Microsoft Access
How to create a record set
Different uses for record sets
Using record sets to view data in a table
Using record sets to find data in a table