Relate Students & Parents in MS Access Database

In this Microsoft Access tutorial, I will show you how to properly relate students and parents in your database, create a many-to-many relationship, and fix your old records without losing data. Learn to use append queries, relational combo boxes, and subforms effectively to manage complex relationships.

Darren from Broomfield, Colorado (a Platinum Member) asks: I have my database set up where I have a table for students and a table for parents. Right now, I have two ID fields in my student table to link to two parents. Once in a while, it comes up that I need a third parent (maybe mom, dad, and step-mom). I know the best way to handle this is to create a many-to-many relationship (since parents can have multiple students too), but I've got several thousand records in my database and I don't want to start from scratch. Help?

Members

There is no extended cut, but here is the database download:

•  Database Download - Gold Members

Silver Members and up get access to view Extended Cut videos, when available. Gold Members can download the files from class plus get access to the Code Vault. If you're not a member, Join Today!

Prerequisites

• Relationships
• Relational Combo
• Many-to-Many
• Append Query
• Subforms

Links

• SQL with Access
• Concatenation

Up Next

• Students & Parents, Part 2

Recommended Courses

• Access Relationship Seminar

Learn More FREE Access Beginner Level 1 FREE Access Quick Start in 30 Minutes Access Level 2 for just $1 Free Templates TechHelp Free Templates Blank Template Contact Management Order Entry & Invoicing More Access Templates

Resources Mailing List - Get emails when new videos released Consulting - Need help with your database Tip Jar - Your tips are graciously accepted Questions? Please feel free to post your questions or comments below or post them in the Forums.

Keywords

TechHelp Access, many-to-many relationship Microsoft Access, relational database design Access, Access join tables, linking students to parents Access, multiple parent records database, Access database normalization, junction table in Access, Access append query tutorial, relational combo boxes Access, Access subform tutorial