Customer Reviews

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Microsoft Office Access 2003

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Recently I had to pick up Access very quickly since the temp assignment I got was nothing but. After spending nearly half an hour comparing Access books in a local bookstore I decided to get this one and the Microsoft official guide. While the Microsoft guide I plan on returning, this book has been a gem and truly got me up to speed from knowing nothing at all. I skimmed through the first 100 pages in about an hour, referencing the computer in front of me to see what went where, and then the next day I was able with the book's help to design a few reports and a rudimentary database for my boss. The next day forms, more reports, queries, and relationships were added into the mix and I've now, about a week later, made it through most of the book and have a real database up and running.

What I like about this book is that it's very well laid out, especially when I compare it to the Microsoft guide. I had little or no problem jumping between chapters to locate the information I was looking for, and the techniques they work through, for the most part, furnished me with everything I've needed to do. While it's called an Absolute Beginner's Guide, it doesn't pull punches in terms of watering down the material or in unnecessary explanations.

If you don't know anything about Access and need to get up to speed quickly, this is the book you want. The only thing I wished that it included was stuff about setting up security and permissions, but other than that, I think this is a great buy.

Sooo much better than the text I tried first (Idiot's Guide to Access). The entire book is much more simplified. TRULY a beginner's guide.