This is my tentative outline for the SQL Server for Microsoft Access Users course. These topics are not necessarily going to match lessons one-for-one. Lessons will be organized based on how much material I can reasonably cover in about an hour.

What you'll see below is the general list of topics I plan to cover, and the rough order I plan to cover them in. Of course, all of this is subject to change. This is my first time teaching this course, so I'm still figuring out how deep we'll go on certain topics, how long each section will take, and which side quests we'll end up on along the way.

But I wanted to share this outline so you can see what's coming up and where the course is headed.


SQL Server Beginner Series

This section is all about learning what SQL Server is, why it's different from Access, and how to build real databases safely without breaking things.

01. SQL Server Basics (Access Translation)
What SQL Server is (and what it isn't)
Database server vs Access ACCDB file
Instances and databases
Tools: SSMS (SQL Server Management Studio)

02. Installing & Setting Up SQL Server Express
SQL Server Express vs Developer Edition
Creating a local instance
Windows authentication vs SQL authentication

03. SQL Server Objects (In Plain English)
Tables
Views (think: saved queries)
Stored procedures (think: parameter query + macro, but on the server)
Functions
Schemas (dbo)

04. Table Design Fundamentals (The SQL Server Version)
Choosing correct data types (nvarchar, int, decimal, datetime2, bit)
Identity fields (AutoNumber equivalent)
Primary keys and foreign keys
NULL vs NOT NULL (this matters a lot)

05. Basic T-SQL Querying
SELECT / FROM / WHERE
Sorting (ORDER BY)
Criteria (AND / OR / NOT)
IN, BETWEEN, LIKE
IS NULL / IS NOT NULL
TOP

06. Importing Data (The Right Way)
Importing from Excel / CSV
Staging tables
Common import mistakes (bad dates, bad numbers)

07. Connecting Microsoft Access to SQL Server
ODBC basics
Linking SQL Server tables into Access
What changes when your tables are "on the server"
When to use pass-through queries

08. Beginner Mistakes (So You Don't Hate Your Life Later)
The nvarchar(50) problem
Date/time surprises
Why Lookup Wizard doesn't exist in SQL Server
Why multi-valued fields aren't allowed (and why that's good)


SQL Server Expert Series

This section is about becoming a better database designer and writing smarter queries. This is where SQL Server starts paying off.

01. Relational Database Design (Real World)
Normalization (1NF, 2NF, 3NF)
Junction tables (many-to-many relationships)
Avoiding redundant data

02. Constraints & Data Integrity (SQL Server Superpowers)
PRIMARY KEY
FOREIGN KEY
UNIQUE
DEFAULT
CHECK constraints (this replaces a lot of Access validation rules)

03. Joins (The Stuff That Makes SQL "Click")
INNER JOIN vs LEFT JOIN
Avoiding duplicate explosions
Practical join patterns you'll reuse constantly

04. Aggregates & Grouping
COUNT, SUM, AVG, MIN, MAX
GROUP BY / HAVING
Building report-friendly queries

05. Views (Saved Queries That Access Loves)
Why views are awesome for Access front ends
Views as a compatibility and security layer
Designing views for reporting

06. Indexes (Why SQL Server Can Be Fast)
What indexes do
When they help and when they slow you down
Composite indexes
Unique indexes
Basic "query tuning" mindset

07. Performance Fundamentals (Practical, Not DBA Madness)
Why some queries are slow
Filtering the right way
Avoiding "pulling the whole table" into Access


SQL Server Developer Series

This section is for power users: automation, server-side logic, permissions, and advanced architecture.

01. Stored Procedures (Your First "Real SQL Server Code")
What stored procedures are
Parameters
CRUD procedures (Insert/Update/Delete)
How Access can call stored procedures

02. Triggers (Automated Rules Inside the Database)
INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE triggers
Audit logging
Preventing invalid changes
When triggers are a bad idea

03. Transactions (Keeping Data Consistent)
BEGIN TRAN / COMMIT / ROLLBACK
All-or-nothing updates
Avoiding partial saves

04. Security & Permissions (The Grown-Up Version of Access Security)
Logins vs users
Roles
Granting only what users need
Protecting tables behind views and stored procedures

05. Concurrency, Locking, and Multi-User Reality
Why SQL Server locking isn't an LACCDB file
Handling edit conflicts properly
Optional: rowversion columns

06. Deployment & Migration Mindset
Moving from Access tables to SQL Server tables
Schema changes as scripts
Versioning database changes

07. Backups & Maintenance (Stuff You'll Thank Me For Later)
Backups and restores
SQL Server Express limitations
Practical maintenance habits


Disclaimer: This outline is based on my own experience working with SQL Server, the many books and reference material I've collected over the years, and (most importantly) what you guys tell me you want to learn. If there's something you'd like to see covered that isn't listed here, let me know. If it makes sense for this course, I'll absolutely add it to the plan. And once again, this entire outline is subject to change. Nothing here is set in stone, and as the course evolves, this list will evolve right along with it.