2_Forms_presentation_l1_v1

Introduction

What’s Access?
Access is a relational database application designed to handle thousand or a few records depending upon the user needs

Access can simply list a collection of names and addresses in a single table, or manage complex relationships between data that pan several tables

Forms

Forms provide a user interface for database tables. They are used as the primary method of entering, editing, and displaying data contained in database tables
While you can use the datasheet to perform many of the same functions,forms present information in an organized manner, thus enhancing data entry
Forms are generally layout documents that combine graphic objects and table data

Forms

Forms are layout documents that use special object types, called controls, to provide access to table data
The controls are linked to specific fields in the underlying table. The controls allow you to modify the display of data and perform data entry

Forms

Access supports three primary views for working with forms:
Form Design View, where the controls and layout can be modified, but the table data is not displayed
Form View, where controls linked to table fields display the field’s value for the current record
Datasheet View, where you can work directly with the table used by the form

Forms

Use a Form Wizard
The Form Wizard can assist you in constructing basic form layouts. Instead of constructing a form manually, you can use the Form Wizard to quickly produce a basic form layout
The Form Wizard prompts you for necessary information to construct a form according to one of several predefined layout types. After answering each question, you can advance to the next window or return to previous windows to select different options
The Form Wizard allows you to define the underlying table(s), field inclusion, and basic layout schemes. You can quickly create and link controls to an underlying table(s)
If necessary, you can later customize the form in Form Design View

Forms

Design a Form
Constructing a layout manually allows you to create more specialized forms
Creating or editing a form manually can be performed using the Form Design View
There are four design features in the Form Design View:
Field List Dialog Box: contains a list of fields supported by the form underlying database table(s). Drag a field to the form area to instantly create label and text-box controls for that field
Property Sheet: list properties of the controls on the form and allows you to modify them
Palette: contains buttons to control the appearance and colors of forms and objects
Toolbox: contains tools to help you insert controls on the form layout

Forms

Design a Form
The form area (appearing as a grid) can be divided into several sections
The form supports only a Detail section by default, which is the main body of the form. Controls linked to field in this section change every time the form displays a new record
The Footer and Header sections permit you to create controls that are not dependent on the current record, such as title header