Quick MS Access Training: Creating Custom Database Tables in 12 Simple Steps

Microsoft Access comes pre-loaded with several database templates that you can use to create contact databases, inventory control databases, expense databases, and many others. Each of these pre-made templates can be up and running in minutes, with absolutely no MS Access training.

Each database created with one of these wizards is comprised of a series of tables that includes different fields such as name, address, etc. However, chances are that your company will need custom fields in the tables to organize all of your information.

You may want to consider taking a one or two-day MS Access training course to learn how to really become a whiz with this amazing database program. However, this Quick MS Access Training article will teach you how to personalize your database with additional tables in just 12 easy steps.

Why not just add fields to existing tables?

As you'll learn in more advanced MS Access training courses, with relational databases, it's better to create specific tables for each type of information such as "employee information" or "customer order information" rather than just adding a bunch of unrelated fields to one table.

Let's get started!

1. Open Microsoft Access and click the 'New' icon and select "Blank Database" from the left-hand side of the screen.

2. Name your file and save it in the appropriate folder.

3. A database window will appear inside of Microsoft Access. Click the "New" icon inside of this window to display the "New Table" dialogue box.

4. Double click the table wizard and spend a few moments browsing through the table categories.

5. Leave the radio button dial set to "business," select "customers" from the sample tables list.

6. Select the fields that you'd like to include in your customer database by selecting the name of the field and then clicking the > button to move it into your new custom table.

7. If you'd like to add a field that is not in the list, bring one field over that you do NOT want in your final table by clicking the > button. Next, highlight the field that you do not want and click the "rename field" button to rename the field.

8. Leave "customers" as the table name and select the option, "No, I'll set the primary key." Click next.

9. Select the option "Numbers I enter when I add new records" and click next.

10. Leave the default selection "Enter data directly into the table" and click finish.

11. A new table will appear with all of your fields. Take a look at the different categories and then close the table by clicking the red "x" in the top right corner.

12. You should be looking at the dialogue box you started with again.

You've just added a new custom table to your database! If you've never tried Access before, you may be surprised by how simple it is to create databases and tables. It's easy to create and use simple databases without MS Access training, but to create more elaborate relational databases; you may want to spend a few days in a classroom training course.

Many people say they feel threatened by Access - but don't! With the right instruction in an MS Access training course, you'll be surprised at how simple it is to create useful databases that will drastically simplify your business process.