by noah | Oct 9, 2017 | MS Access
With the latest Microsoft Access program rolled out just last year, a lot of improvements have been made to the database program. Still, many users struggle with slow-loading databases. When your business is running on speed and efficiency, it’s frustrating to be slowed down by your database. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to speed up your databases. Let’s check them out below! All Tables Should Have Primary Keys Every table in your database should have a primary key so that the database can identify specific records. Plus, you cannot create secondary indexes unless you have a primary key. To determine if you have your tables set up correctly, open every table in Design view. You can quickly see if any tables are without a primary key. Remember, your primary key should be one field and numeric. Add Secondary Indexes for Faster Searches If you find yourself searching for the same fields, adding a secondary index will be helpful. You don’t need secondary indexes for all fields, of course. Stick to the ones that you use on a regular basis such as OrderDate. Split Your Databases Splitting your database can improve performance and stability, especially when sharing it with others. When you split your database, one part holds all objects (except for tables) while the other holds the data. These two parts – the “app” and the “data” – are linked together. Use Compact and Repair It’s a good idea to use Compact and Repair each month. This administrative tool prevents corruption and keeps your databases healthy. It also reduces the need to manually run Access... read more
by noah | Sep 30, 2017 | Uncategorized
Microsoft Access has been around for a long time, but some people are still uncertain as to what the program does and how it can benefit their day-to-day operations. Access is a relational database, and it has a similar look and feel to other Microsoft products. It’s made up of six major components, which we will discuss today. Even though there is plenty to read about MS Access, the only way to know for sure how you like the program is by trying it out for yourself! Let’s explore the six major components to Microsoft Access so that you can better understand how the database works. 1. Tables Tables are responsible for storing information within the database. You will notice that the tables in Access look similar to the ones in Excel. They contain columns and rows. Each column has a name at the top, and each row has a number. If you don’t set up the tables correctly, the database might give you the wrong results. Improper tables can also lead to slow or unpredictable performance, so take your time setting up the tables appropriately. 2. Relationships Relationships are essentially the “connections” or “bonds” that are formed between tables. Tables can be related in one of three ways: one-to-one, one-to-many and many-to-many. 3. Queries Queries are requests for information. Queries can sort, calculate, filter, update data and more based on the results you are looking for. 4. Forms According to Access, a form is a database object that can be used to create a user interface for a database application. A bound form is linked to a data... read more
by noah | Sep 19, 2017 | Uncategorized
There are three types of relationships in Microsoft Access: one-to-many, many-to-many and one-to-one. Table relationships are used for various reasons such as informing query, form and report designs. Fortunately, MS Access makes it easy to create table relationships before you develop other database objects. Let’s take a closer look at the three different ways that data in one table can be related to data in another table. One-to-Many Relationship A one-to-many relationship is the most common type of relationship. It means that Table A has many matching records in Table B, but Table B only has one matching record in Table A. Let’s look at an example. If you run a home business selling homemade scarves, the customer’s information will go into Table A. They may be assigned an ID number, or you may go by their name. In Table B, you list out their orders. Some customers may have one or two orders, while others will have 10 or more. However, when going from Table B to Table A, the records in Table B will always match with just one record. Many-to-Many Relationship A many-to-many relationship is a bit more complicated. You must consider both sides of the relationship because Table A and Table B will have many records. To make this relationship work, you will need a third table, called a junction table. This table is responsible for clarifying the different relationships that can occur. Using the example above, this would mean that for every order, there might be many products, and for every product, there might be many orders. One-to-One Relationship In a one-to-one relationship, records... read more
by noah | Aug 23, 2017 | Uncategorized
Microsoft continues to release new products, making it difficult to keep on top of the latest software. Some users have questions on the differences and similarities between Office 365 and Office 2016. Let’s explore Office 365 and traditional Office to see which one is right for you. Chances are, you will learn that Office 365 has everything you need to keep your business running efficiently. How Office 365 is Different from Office 2016 Office 365 is a subscription service that ensures users have the most up-to-date features and tools from Microsoft. Office 365 can be used for both personal and business use and includes programs such as the following: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and Access. Users have the choice between monthly or annual memberships. Traditional Office 2016 is a one-time purchase. Users pay for the program once and are provided with a copy of Office 2016. Unfortunately, there is no upgrade option with these types of programs, so users are stuck with the same copy no matter which updates are rolled out. The good news is that it’s cheaper to go the traditional route because the cost is paid once. Why the Confusion Between Office 365 and Office? The main reason why there is so much confusion between the two products is because even Microsoft uses the names interchangeably. Part of this is because the technology giant wants users to switch over to 365 without having to worry about learning a new program. It’s easier to keep the “Office” name so that users know that they will be working within the same programs. Another reason why the confusion exists... read more
by noah | Aug 9, 2017 | Uncategorized
Are you looking for an easy way to move your Microsoft Access database to the cloud? Office 365 provides users with a central location where all Access databases can be stored and managed. There are many benefits to using this service, such as being able to protect your data while allowing access to multiple users. In this article, we will teach you how to move your Access databases to Office 365. Create an Office 365 Account The first step is to create an account with Office 365. This account gives you access to the cloud services. It isn’t free, but most cloud services are not. You can expect to pay between $8.25 and $12.50 a month per user. For this fee, you receive all of Office 365 services, including cloud-based email, shared calendars and instant messaging. Create a Database The next step is to create a database that you want to share on the web. You can open an existing database and migrate it over to the internet. Or, you can create a new database for a specific web application. Check Web Compatibility Before you publish your database to the web, you need to validate that it’s compatible with SharePoint, as all Office 365 services are hosted by SharePoint. To do this, choose “Save & Publish” from the file menu. Then select “Publish to Access Services” in the publish section. Lastly, click the “Run Compatibility Checker” button and read your results. Publish Your Database When everything checks out, it’s go time! Select “Save & Publish” from the file menu and then “Publish to Access Services” in the publish... read more
by noah | Jul 20, 2017 | MS Access
When an Access database outgrows its original purpose, the next step is to upgrade to a more powerful system. Before you throw away your Access database, you may want to consider turning your Access applications into web-based applications. This won’t work for every situation, but it could work for you, saving time and money. Let’s look at a few reasons why turning your Access applications into web-based applications might make sense for you. Client versus Server A server-side database such as SQL evaluates requests on the server side. It then returns data to the client. With Jet – the database behind Access – the client does all the work. The server is only responsible for responding to client file requests. Because of this, indexes and unused data slow things down. To speed up your network, place the Access database on your web server’s local drive. Then build the interface on the web server. This creates an ad hoc server-side database that manages transactions on the server using your code. No User Installation With a web-based front end, installation issues are kept to a minimum. Users only require a browser. It doesn’t matter if the user is running Windows or iOS. Simple Cross-Platform Usage When creating the web interface and code that the server will use to interact with your database, you can use the language you want. However, it’s recommended that you keep the language simple so that everyone can use it. Thankfully, you get a clean and standard HTML that just about all browsers can use. Simplified Security If you store the database in a non-shared folder, access... read more
by noah | Jul 10, 2017 | Uncategorized
Today, just about everything is stored on the cloud. Whether it’s pictures, photos, invoices, applications or databases, documents are conveniently kept on the cloud to free up space on our devices. We also have a certain level of trust in the cloud, considering that we rely on it to keep our most important and precious documents safe. As programs and software are updated with the latest technology, we see more reliance on the cloud. For example, Microsoft Access 2016 allows users to send their databases to the cloud so that all information can be stored, manipulated and shared from one central location. Additionally, the cloud keeps Access databases safe by protecting the data and enabling multi-user access. Let’s take a look at four common myths about the cloud and the truths behind them. Myth #1. The cloud is the same as the internet. When someone says that their data is on the cloud, it’s believed that it’s stored on the internet. However, the two are not synonymous. A cloud is a network of remote servers that can be accessed using the internet. The internet, on the other hand, is a giant global network of connections. Unlike the internet that is a single entity, there are thousands of clouds across the globe. So when we talk about a database being on the cloud, it’s not one cloud. It’s a cloud. Myth #2. Data on the cloud is not secure. It’s understandable that people have concerns over how secure their information is on the cloud. Hackers are always looking to steal data, so why wouldn’t they try to tap into iCloud... read more
by noah | Jun 28, 2017 | Uncategorized
By now you’ve probably heard about the new version of Microsoft Windows being rolled out, called Windows 10 S. Though it’s mostly the same as Windows 10, there are a few notable differences that you should know about. Some users will find that upgrading to the new edition is worth it, while others won’t find a need to. In short, Windows 10 S was built to take over Google Chromebooks and dominate the education market. There are other useful features included with the software that can benefit non-students, too. Here are five things to know about the Windows 10 S release. 1. It’s Tied to the Windows Store The biggest difference between Windows 10 and Windows 10 S is that 10 S is tied to the Windows Store. If you want to download an app or game, you need to do so from the Store. You won’t be able to download anything from the internet because the new edition will refuse to install any software unless it comes from the Windows Store. 2. It’s More Secure Because you can’t download anything from the web, you have a lesser risk of getting a virus or inadvertently downloading malware on your computer. The apps posted in the Windows Store are safe, as they are screened by Microsoft’s own app approval system. The only downfall is that there aren’t many apps developed for Windows 10 yet. This will change in time, though. 3. It Looks Just Like Windows 10 Windows 10 S looks almost identical to Windows 10, except that there is a different wallpaper when you set up the software for... read more
by noah | Jun 14, 2017 | Uncategorized
A database is a collection of related data. It can be any type of data, such as invoices sent to customers or inventory from your product line. There are many database software programs to choose from, and Microsoft Access is one of them. Access is a database, but it’s also much more than that. It’s a relational database management system or RDBMS. As an integrated system of related data, Access has the tools to store, organize and manipulate this information. Let’s talk more about what a relational database is and why you can expect more from MS Access. Overview of a Relational Database A relational database presents information in tables with rows and columns. Data in a table may be related by common concepts or keys, and you’re able to retrieve data that is related so that you can make comparisons. The standard user and application program that a relational database uses is the structured query language (SQL). Although it’s not required, virtually all RDBMSs use SQL. This standardized programming language lets users perform various operations within the data, such as modifying table and index structures; adding, updating and deleting rows of data and fetching subsets of information. Finally, relational databases are easy to create and extend. Once a database is created, new data categories can be added without having to modify the current applications. The data can also be accessed and reassembled in many different ways without having to reorganize the information. Benefits of RDBMS For many organizations, relational databases fulfill their needs. Others need to keep looking for another solution. If it turns out that your organization... read more
by noah | May 24, 2017 | MS Access
MS Access is a relational database that was developed by Microsoft and used by organizations large and small. The database might have its limitations, but it remains one of the most efficient and easy-to-use management systems. Many businesses upgrade from Excel to Access when they realize they need more productivity, fewer errors and inconsistencies and the ability to make better decisions. Another reason why companies make the switch is for enhanced security and control. Databases provide a central location for important information to be stored, managed and updated. Also, MS Access gives the option to encrypt data and password protect your database files. However, it is possible for database corruption to occur. While this is unlikely to happen, a few proactive steps can prevent corruption and save you a lot of headache down the road. Most Common Sources of Database Corruption There are many different ways that a database can become corrupted in Microsoft Access. Below are the most commonly cited reasons. Software conflicts Hardware failure Virus attack Accidental system shutdown Multi-user access Efficient database design Preventing Corruption of Your MS Access Database Prevention is always the best strategy. By making smart decisions, you can avoid corruption from occurring – as well as all the headaches that go along with it! Check all equipment and hard drives on a regular basis to minimize the risk of hardware failure It’s not recommended to run your Access databases on inherently volatile networks such as Bluetooth or Wifi Restrict multi-user access as much as you can. If you can’t, split the front end GUI from the back end database to limit network... read more
