Lesson 1

Microsoft Access is a powerful application with lots and lots of options.
This module will get you started with Access and introduces you to the essential parts of the Access window, and you will learn the most common ways to open and use an Access database. After completing this module you will be able to:

1. Open and close an Access database
2. Identify the components of the Access window
3. Use Access’s online help system to find the information you need
4. Use the Database window to navigate a database

As with many of the Microsoft Office applications, there are many ways to complete a given task within Access. In this course I will cover the most common way. If you are familiar with a different way to complete a task, feel free to use it. Occasionally I will cover alternative approaches in a sidebar.

In Microsoft Access (Office 365), the essential parts of the Access window include the components that you design, manage, and interact with databases. Here's a breakdown of the key areas:
For the following list of 8 numbered elements, put the numbered elements in a HTML ordered list and the child elements in an unordered

• 1. Navigation Pane
  • Purpose: Displays all the database objects (tables, queries, forms, reports, macros, and modules).
  • Location: Left side of the window.
  • Tip: You can group and filter objects here.
• 2. Ribbon
  • Purpose: A toolbar that provides commands organized into tabs like Home, Create, External Data, Database Tools, etc.
  • Location: Across the top of the window.
  • Contextual Tabs: Appear based on the object you’re working with (e.g., Table Design Tools).
• 3. Quick Access Toolbar
  • Purpose: Provides quick access to commonly used commands like Save, Undo, Redo.
  • Location: Top-left corner of the window.
• 4. Object Tabs
  • Purpose: Shows open database objects as tabs (e.g., if you have a form and a table open).
  • Location: Below the Ribbon.
  • Tip: You can switch between objects quickly.
• 5. Work Area (Object Workspace)
  • Purpose: Central area where objects like tables, forms, queries, or reports are opened for editing or viewing.
  • Context-Sensitive: Changes depending on the object type.
• 6. Status Bar
  • Purpose: Displays information like the current view (Datasheet View, Design View), and record count.
  • Location: Bottom of the window.
• 7. View Buttons
  • Purpose: Switch between views (e.g., Design View, Datasheet View, Form View).
  • Location: Lower-right corner or within the Ribbon.
• 8. Title Bar
  • Purpose: Displays the name of the current database and the app (Microsoft Access).
  • Location: Very top of the window.

The Form object in Access includes four properties that would appear to give an indication as to the location of a form onscreen:

1. WindowHeight,
2. WindowLeft,
3. WindowTop, and
4. WindowWidth.

These properties actually return values based on the client workspace within the Access application window. Because these values can change based on the location of the Access window itself, there is no built-in mechanism to expose the current xy position of a form. The following example demonstrates how to use the GetWindowRect API to return the form's screen position in pixels.