Access 97 for Windows For Dummies [Paperback]

John Kaufeld (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764500481 | ISBN-13: 978-0764500480 | Publication Date: January 2, 1997 | Edition: 1

Being a normal human being, you probably have work to do. In fact, you may have lots of work piled precariously around your office or even stretching onto the Internet. Relief is in sight because Access 97 can help you get more done in less time, eliminate the piles, and generally make the safety inspector happy. The good news is that you don't have to know (or even care) about table design, field types, relational databases, or any of that other database stuff to make Access 97 work for you.

Get the help you need with this friendly reference to all the features of Access 97. If you're confused instead of organized, befuddled instead of productive, or just completely lost on the whole database thing, Access 97 For Windows For Dummies is the book for you. This guide is for those who need to

• Save time and effort by adapting existing reports and forms for new databases
• Unearth the mysteries of solving problems with Access queries
• Glean enough about macro programming to make people think you're a certified Access guru
• Find hundreds of tips on making Access easier, more understandable, and generally less annoying

Start with an overview of both database concepts in general and Access 97 in particular, and start taking control of your data. Access 97 For Windows For Dummies also covers the following topics and more:

• Dealing with data in need of repair
• Making your table think with formats, masks, and validations
• Finding stuff in your tables
• Comparing AND to OR
• Creating an AutoReport
• Formatting a beautiful report
• Creating forms that look cool and work great

Even after you've mastered the nuts and bolts of database building with Access 97, you'll find plenty of valuable resource material in this guide to keep you coming back for more. Timesaving keyboard shortcuts, warnings for how to avoid common crises, and an introduction to the wider world of advanced Access features are all included for you in this easy-to-use book.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Get tips on using wizards, forms, and other Access shortcuts

Find out how to add hyperlinks and put data on the Web

Get up to speed on Access 97 and get more out of all that data Access 97 can help you get organized, get answers, and get rid of all those piles of paper — if you know how to use it. That's where this book comes in. In easy-to-understand language seasoned with a dash of humor, John Kaufeld guides you through Access fundamentals, from database design to queries, reports, and beyond.

Discover how to: Understand database basics Set up fields, records, and tables Design queries that get results Turn data into great-looking printed reports Import or export data Deal with snafus

The Dummies Way^™ Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun

Get smart! www.dummies.com Register to win cool prizes Browse exclusive articles and excerpts Get a free Dummies Daily^™ e-mail newsletter Chat with authors and preview other books Talk to us, ask questions, get answers

About the Author

John Kaufeld is the author of For Dummies?? guides to Paradox and Fox Pro as well as the bestselling America Online?? For Dummies??.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (January 2, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764500481
• ISBN-13: 978-0764500480
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,398,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Kaufeld makes complex things easy, and helps parents -- especially dads -- learn to connect with their kids through board games.

And he loves every minute of it.

He's a best-selling author, speaker, trainer, consultant, board gamer, dad, and all-around geek. He also believes passionately in the power of board games as a tool for connecting with family and friends, but more about that later.

Back in 1993, he started writing about America Online, Microsoft Access, computer games, tabletop games, and more in the popular "...For Dummies" line of computer books, eventually churning out over 25 books in the line, along with a few random ones for other publishers. Over the years, his titles sold more than 2.8 million books in over 15 languages around the world.

John started writing as a high school stringer for The Republic (Columbus, IN). At about the same time, he expanded into radio as a weekend DJ for WWWY Radio (also in Columbus, IN).

In college, he scrambled for stories as the weekend news anchor for WLBC Radio (Muncie, IN) and the afternoon news editor for WBST Radio (the Ball State University PBS station).

During his first stint in Corporate America, John spent 10 years in various Information Systems and System Development jobs. His second term in Corporate America saw him working in communication, publicity, and marketing for a national trade association, a regional bank, a high-end manufacturing company.

Along the way, John wandered into the social game industry. As a kid, he and his father played many rounds of Hasbro's "Monopoly" (consistently using the wrong rules), and actually finished the game two or three times.

Then he discovered German board games (also known as "Eurogames"), and his gaming world -- and parenting style -- changed forever.

These days, you can often find John in the board game areas at Gen Con and other game conventions. He indulges in "Puerto Rico," "Agricola," "Race for the Galaxy," and just about any train game that wanders past (especially Empire Builder). If you see him, definitely say hi. After all, he never bites. (Well, at least not since the therapy.)

He's current finishing a Master of Arts in Professional Communication at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, and is on the university staff in marketing and social media. He also freelances for several national and regional publications.

You can email him at [e-mail], the email address that launched a few million books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A great way to start out; broad but shallow, October 6, 1999

By 

Robert Q. Johnson, CPA (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Access 97 for Windows For Dummies (Paperback)

This book aims directly at folks who have never used Access (or any other database software) before. For its targeted audience, this book is a fun read (even if the jokes are a little weak, it beats the monotonous tone of the books aimed at the veteran users). It gives a fine introduction to a complex topic and presents a broad view of many of Access' features. But it doesn't go into depth on any of them. The critical reviews I've seen here seem to come from people who thought this was a reference book. Far from it! This is strictly a tutorial. When the reader is through with this, they won't be intimidated by the book they'll purchase next if they need to do anything challenging with the software. Power users can skip this one. You newbies, jump in! (P.S. I teach MS Access to CPAs and use this for the class text. I have read a dozen books on the subject and could have chosen any of them.)

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars simple databases for people who don't often use computers, February 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Access 97 for Windows For Dummies (Paperback)

The beginning of the book was informative and helpful. It defines the way data should be characterized and input (but NOT in-depth). I would not recommend this book for anyone who is trying to utilize Access for more than creating phonebooks and other simple databases. I should have read more of the other reviews before spending my money. The author used to many jokes to try and make the book seem less dull. But what do you expect, it is a learning gude for Databases! I would rather have had the book boring and dull with information i could use, than jokes and information that does not help accomplish my goal. This book DID NOT effectively help in trying to create databases in a professional environment.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too useless, May 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Access 97 for Windows For Dummies (Paperback)

Compared to the other Dummies books, this one was virtually worthless. It is too thin in content and not worth purchasing. I bought it, but it couldn't tell me anything useful. Very thin on information and examples for me to get some work done. Upon recommendation, I immediately purchased Access 97 Bible by Gary Prague. Much more detailed, also easy to understand, more useful, good examples. Access 97 for Dummies is so UNDETAILED that it wasn't useful to work with. Too many jokes, not enough content. Definitely go with Access 97 Bible. Very good stuff, and my database right now is looking great.