Access 2003 Bible (Paperback)

~ (Author), Michael R. Irwin (Author), Jennifer Reardon (Author) "In this chapter, you learn the concepts and terminology of databases and how to design the tables that will be used by your forms and..." (more)
Key Phrases: Microsoft Access, Microsoft Office, Package Wizard (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

* The most comprehensive reference on this popular database management tool, fully updated with the new features of Access "X" including increased use of XML and Web services
* Explores the new, tighter integration with SharePoint and BizTalk in Office "X" that enables greater flexibility for gathering and manipulating data
* Written by an international bestselling author team with several books to their credit, including previous editions of Access Bible
* Gets Access beginners started with hundreds of examples, tips, and techniques for getting the most from Access
* Offers advanced programming information for serious professionals
* CD-ROM includes all templates and worksheets used in the book, as well as sample chapters from all Wiley Office "X" related Bibles and useful third party software, including John Walkenbach's Power Utility Pak

From the Back Cover

If Access 2003 can do it, you can do it too...

Databases can be complex. That’s why you need the expert guidance in this comprehensive reference manual to help you harness their power with a solid understanding of database purpose, construction, and application. If this is your first encounter with Access, you’ll appreciate the thorough attention to database fundamentals and terminology. If you’re familiar with earlier versions, you can jump right into Access 2003 enhancements like wider use of XML and Web services.

Inside, you’ll find complete coverage of Access 2003

• Create tables, manipulate datasheets, and work with multiple tables
• Understand the seven database objects and design systems objects
• Apply the seven-step design method to build databases tailored to your needs
• Build forms with wizards, create bound and unbound forms, and add data validation
• Learn how to use Visual Basic® and the VBA Editor to automate Access applications
• Use XML to create basic and advanced Data Access Pages
• Automate query parameters, create functions and subroutines, and add programmed error routines
• Exchange data with Word, Excel, PowerPoint®, and other Office applications

Bonus CD-ROM and companion Web site!

• All source code from the book as well as a complete working example
• Exclusive Office 2003 Super Bible eBook, with more than 500 pages of information about how Microsoft Office components work together
• Bonus shareware, freeware, trial, demo, and evaluation programs that work with or enhance Microsoft Office
• Searchable eBook version of Access 2003 Bible
• An easy-to-use interface that allows you to browse and install everything on the CD

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 1464 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (October 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764539868
• ISBN-13: 978-0764539862
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #105,061 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Content but a lot of fluf, December 12, 2004

By	Michael T. Farinha (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For the most part this book is very through on teaching you Access, however there is a lot of fluf in some of the instructions it walks you through. For example, everytime it walks you through steps on going to the properties screen of any object it will tell you step by step how to right click, how to scroll down to the properties and then left click on 'properties'. Anyone who needs this level of detail should probably be reading a 'Windows for dummies' book instead.

The actual content of the book has so far been fairly thorough as far as understanding Access. The information regarding database design is more or less satisfactory for getting you started working with access, but for a complete understanding of databases in general it leaves a bit to be desired.

For the Access content of the book I give it a 4/5 but looking at the book as a whole i have to take a whole point away because of the volumes of fluf i have to sift through to get to the meat and potatoes.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Access 2003 Bible Stinks!, March 25, 2005

By	dfriloux "dea" - See all my reviews

I actually bought this book for a specific database I'm doing and after perusing it in the bookstore, thought it was exactly what I needed. Unfortunately, some of the examples I tried were so bad that, although they worked, if the end-user did one little thing wrong, it would crash. And there was no explanation for what to do if there was a problem. The website was useless. They don't even have the Access 2003 Bible posted so that you can ask questions. The book suggested that they'd have updates and solutions if there were any problems, but I didn't see anything for Access 2003. The message boards seem to have been completed vacated, so that was no help either. Sadly, this book wasn't very much help to me. The CD is worthless to me, as well. The book referenced a database (AccessAutoAuctions.mdb) that I never did find. There was an AccessAutoAuctions, but I couldn't run it because it was looking for a server that I don't have access to. Too bad because part of my problem was supposed to be covered in that database. I feel that I wasted my money on this book.

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Left me helpless, March 1, 2005

By	tech librarian (North Brunswick, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

As a newbie to Access, I found this title to be an utter waste of money. The index is abysmal--so much for the "Bible" concept. Very simply put, when I have a problem, I need to find the answer on Google groups because the book simply has no answers for me. Change a list box to a combo box? Create a multiple field index? Tough luck. The natural response would be to assume that this is a book for more advanced users. Trouble with that assumption is that the title of Chapter 1 is "Understanding Data." Disgusting.