Chapter 2: Getting Started,
Getting Around
In This Chapter
Understanding the Access window
Playing with Access’s sample databases
Using other Access window elements
Getting around via the Navigation Pane
Working with Access objects and wizards
Saving keystr okes with keyboard shor tcuts
B
efore you can do much with Access, you have to get it installed and
running. If Access isn’t already installed on your computer, see the
appendix for what to do. Then come back to this chapter for pointers on
how to run it and decipher the stuff you see in the Access window.
Running Access
Windows usually provides more than one way to perform a task; starting
Access is no exception. The most popular way to start Access is to click
Start and choose All Programs
.
Microsoft Office
.
Microsoft Office Access
2007.
Another way to get the program started is by double-clicking the name or
icon of an Access database in Windows Explorer (this method both starts
Access and opens the database you double-click). Or double-click the
Access icon if it appears on your Windows desktop.
When you start Access without opening a database, the Access 2007
window looks like Figure 2-1.
Access 2007 wants to help you get started, and the initial window you see
gives you all sorts of choices for starting to build a database. Chapter 3 of
this minibook covers using Access database templates to build your own
database. This chapter covers opening existing databases, or opening a
brand new empty database.
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