Access 2007 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

List Price: $21.99 Discount Price: $11.52

Customer Reviews:

Access 2007 [Posted on 2007-05-31]
Great step-by-step guide for someone who is forced to delve right into the tool with little prior database knowledge.

Great beginning book, but one significant shortcoming... [Posted on 2008-03-07]
My spouse volunteered to take on a data collection and manipulation project for a non-profit using Access. Here is her report:

I was familiar with the basics of relational database design, and had used Access to a limited extent about 8 years ago. I had a good understanding of the data and how it would be used, so designing a robust database was pretty straightforward. My limitation was the nuts and bolts mechanics of using Access, especially the new 2007 version. I collected about 5 books on Access 2007 from the library, and this is the one really dove into, and ultimately ended up buying. I would say that if you are using Access 2007 you should be sure to buy a book specific to 2007, not earlier versions.

I really like the format of the book--it is organized into logical sections that are easy to follow. I especially like the way the infomation is presented-- there are plenty of examples with adequate illustrations, but the basic ideas are well explained before the examples, so that I found it easy just to sit down and read it to absorb most of the basic ideas. Then after I had acquired a good overview of, say, forms and their applications, I went back to the examples to try them out on my own data. Many of the other books I used explained the concepts only through the examples, so unless you were actually sitting at the computer following each and every step it was difficult to gather the fundamental concepts.

I think the sections on basic database design concepts would be adequate for those not so familiar with relational databases.

I did find one major omission that is critical enough that I ended up buying another book to supplement this one. I did not find any reference to action queries such as update, append, and delete. These have been really crucial to me as I consolidate date from many different sources, and the lack of info on action queries is glaring! (I'll admit that I didn't read EVERY word of this book, so I guess it is possible that I somehow overlooked it, but I was read the first 250 out of 350 pages pretty carefully.) I ended up buying "The Unofficial Guide to Access 2007" by Jim Keogh to supplement, but I'll warn you even that one has misinformation on the format of update queries...

All in all, though, I found this book to be a great basic introduction--concisely written, in an easily digested style. Very useful.

What you need to get back in the game after being gone for 8 years [Posted on 2008-03-24]
Great as a refresher course when you haven't needed to use it since college four versions ago.

GREAT for computer dummies!! [Posted on 2008-05-15]
I know little to nothing about computers but this book was laid out so that even I could understand what was supposed to be happening!! Thank you so much for helping me to expand my business and make life more simple!!

Very helpful book. [Posted on 2008-07-20]
I like the book. My Microsoft Applications class at college rushed through Access and I didn't understand it at all. This book really just makes everything simple and is full of helpful analogies.

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