Access 2007 For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
Rating: 5 of 5
Phew!
Much needed. I took a course (with no handouts). This book not only refreshed the memory & is a great reference, but also gave me some new tips.
Rating: 1 of 5
Lots of issues ...
I bought this book 4 the same reason I buy any "For Dummies" book, 2 decrease my ramp up time on a particular subject. Generally I can blow through one of these books in a few days & move on 2 more advanced books on that topic. Disappointingly, I was unable 2 achieve this goal with 'Access 2007 4 Dummies'.
First of all this book starts out assuming that you have a database 2 work with & makes no effort in teaching you how 2 build a database from the ground up. Continuing on the assumption that you have your own database (filled with data) that you are going 2 be working with, the author has 2 stay in a "high level mode" 4 the rest of the book. Most of the book has vague references & examples that read something like "If you have X type of data in a Y type of structure you may want 2 try something like Z". Well, I don't have a my own database filled with this type of data, so, I went looking on the publishers web site 4 example databases 2 work with. I was happy when I found out there were example databases on the publishers site, but further disappointed 2 find out that these examples are rarely used. This makes following along by example next 2 impossible. The few times when these example databases are used they don't entirely match up 2 the screenshot's in the book . Which brings me 2 books use of screenshots. Screenshots are generally a good thing when working with a GUI application such Access. However, the screenshots are off little use due 2 the fact that the screenshots are of the entire application window, rather than being cropped 2 show you the control in question. So, when the author is referencing a specific control such as a small button you have 2 hunt & peck your way through the grayscale image trying 2 find the button that looks depressed.
After all of the fore mentioned pitfalls I still continued through the book. I was really interested in getting 2 the sections on charting & switchboarding. Once again, I was disappointed. The author claims that Access 2007 has no charting capability & the reader should use Excel or PowerPoint instead. First of all, this is incorrect. Charting is available in Access 2007 via the "Design View" in a report. Secondly, the author gives no instruction on how 2 create charts in Excel or PowerPoint as he advises the reader 2 do. The chapter on switchboards is all of 11 pages long (mostly screenshots) & contains next 2 no information on how 2 get these set up & working. As a matter of fact I could not get any of the switchboard examples 2 work properly with the example databases provided by the publisher.
In the end I ended up learning quite a bit about Access. However, most of what I learned was done with online research while trying 2 stumble through this book. Getting through this book took me about 4 times longer than it should have due 2 a the above mentioned problems. All & all this ended up being a waste of time 4 someone who was short on time in the first place.
First of all this book starts out assuming that you have a database 2 work with & makes no effort in teaching you how 2 build a database from the ground up. Continuing on the assumption that you have your own database (filled with data) that you are going 2 be working with, the author has 2 stay in a "high level mode" 4 the rest of the book. Most of the book has vague references & examples that read something like "If you have X type of data in a Y type of structure you may want 2 try something like Z". Well, I don't have a my own database filled with this type of data, so, I went looking on the publishers web site 4 example databases 2 work with. I was happy when I found out there were example databases on the publishers site, but further disappointed 2 find out that these examples are rarely used. This makes following along by example next 2 impossible. The few times when these example databases are used they don't entirely match up 2 the screenshot's in the book . Which brings me 2 books use of screenshots. Screenshots are generally a good thing when working with a GUI application such Access. However, the screenshots are off little use due 2 the fact that the screenshots are of the entire application window, rather than being cropped 2 show you the control in question. So, when the author is referencing a specific control such as a small button you have 2 hunt & peck your way through the grayscale image trying 2 find the button that looks depressed.
After all of the fore mentioned pitfalls I still continued through the book. I was really interested in getting 2 the sections on charting & switchboarding. Once again, I was disappointed. The author claims that Access 2007 has no charting capability & the reader should use Excel or PowerPoint instead. First of all, this is incorrect. Charting is available in Access 2007 via the "Design View" in a report. Secondly, the author gives no instruction on how 2 create charts in Excel or PowerPoint as he advises the reader 2 do. The chapter on switchboards is all of 11 pages long (mostly screenshots) & contains next 2 no information on how 2 get these set up & working. As a matter of fact I could not get any of the switchboard examples 2 work properly with the example databases provided by the publisher.
In the end I ended up learning quite a bit about Access. However, most of what I learned was done with online research while trying 2 stumble through this book. Getting through this book took me about 4 times longer than it should have due 2 a the above mentioned problems. All & all this ended up being a waste of time 4 someone who was short on time in the first place.
Rating: 5 of 5
Very helpful book.
I like the book. My Microsoft Applications class at college rushed through Access & I didn't understand it at all. This book really just makes everything simple & is full of helpful analogies.
Rating: 5 of 5
GREAT 4 computer dummies!!
I know little 2 nothing about computers but this book was laid out so that even I could understand what was supposed 2 be happening!! Thank you so much 4 helping me 2 expand my business & make life more simple!!
Rating: 4 of 5
What you need 2 get back in the game after being gone 4 8 years
Great as a refresher course when you haven't needed 2 use it since college four versions ago.
Reduce stress with timesaving database shortcuts
Explore database basics & build tables & reports that corral your data
Access has undergone an extreme makeover! Whether you've used one of the older versions or this is your first exposure 2 Access, here's where you'll find the essentials you need 2 make this database system work 4 you. Cruise around the new interface, team up Access with other Office applications, use wizards 2 automate your work, & much more.
Discover how to
* Create a new Access database
* Import & export data
* Build forms 4 efficient data entry
* Search tables 4 specific data
* Construct custom reports
* Customize your database navigation
Explore database basics & build tables & reports that corral your data
Access has undergone an extreme makeover! Whether you've used one of the older versions or this is your first exposure 2 Access, here's where you'll find the essentials you need 2 make this database system work 4 you. Cruise around the new interface, team up Access with other Office applications, use wizards 2 automate your work, & much more.
Discover how to
* Create a new Access database
* Import & export data
* Build forms 4 efficient data entry
* Search tables 4 specific data
* Construct custom reports
* Customize your database navigation
($12.87)
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