Lesson 5	Using the Database window to navigate a database
Objective	View objects in a database by using the Database window.

Using Database Window to navigate Access

The Microsoft Access "Database Window" is a central feature that allows users to navigate, organize, and manage the objects within an Access database. While the "Database Window" was a key feature in earlier versions of Access, it has been replaced by the Navigation Pane in more recent versions (including Microsoft Office 365). However, the functionality remains largely similar.
Here's a detailed description of the Database Window:
Key Features of the Database Window

Object Categories
- The Database Window organizes all the objects in your Access database into categories:
  - Tables: Stores raw data in rows and columns.
  - Queries: Used to retrieve and manipulate data.
  - Forms: Provides user-friendly interfaces for data entry and viewing.
  - Reports: Designed to display and print data in a formatted way.
  - Macros: Automates tasks in the database.
  - Modules: Contains VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) code for advanced functionality.
Object Listing
- When you select a category (e.g., Tables, Queries), the objects within that category are displayed as a list. You can double-click an object to open it or right-click to see additional options (e.g., design, properties).
Toolbar:
- At the top of the Database Window, there is a toolbar with actions specific to the selected object, such as:
  - Open
  - Design View
  - New (create a new object of that type)
Object Management
- The Database Window allows users to perform tasks such as:
  - Creating new objects.
  - Renaming or deleting objects.
  - Dragging and dropping objects into forms or queries.
Search Functionality
- A search box or filter can help locate specific objects, which is useful for databases with many objects.
Drag-and-Drop Capability
- Objects can be dragged and dropped from the Database Window into other objects, such as dragging a table into a query design grid.

Navigation Pane in Microsoft Office 365
In Microsoft Office 365, the Database Window has been replaced with the Navigation Pane, which serves a similar purpose with a more modern interface.

Location
- The Navigation Pane is located on the left side of the Access workspace.
- It provides access to the same objects (Tables, Queries, Forms, Reports, Macros, and Modules) as the Database Window.
Grouping and Filtering
- Objects can be grouped or filtered by type, custom categories, or by the date they were modified or created.
Search Box
- The search box at the top of the Navigation Pane allows you to quickly locate objects by name.
Customization
- The Navigation Pane can be customized to show only specific objects or groups, improving usability in complex databases.

Using the Database Window (or Navigation Pane)

Open an Object: Double-click it.
Switch Views: Use the toolbar to switch between Design View, Datasheet View, Report View, or other modes.
Rename/Delete Objects: Right-click an object for these options.
Create New Objects: Use the toolbar or Ribbon to create tables, queries, forms, or reports.

Key Benefits

Provides a centralized location to manage all database objects.
Offers an intuitive, hierarchical structure for navigating and organizing your database.
Enables efficient workflows for database design and maintenance.

The database window is the table of contents for the database—it allows you to see lists of the different types of objects in the database, and open those objects in the views available for that type of object. In addition, the Database window provides icons and buttons for you to use to create new objects. The Objects bar on the Database window allows you to choose which type of Access object is listed in the Database window. For instance, if you click the Tables button you see a list of tables in the database, and likewise for the Queries, Forms, and Reports buttons. Once you have chosen the type of object by clicking the appropriate button in the Object bar, the easiest way to view the object is to double-click the object name in the Database window. Navigating the database An object window may take up only part of the Access window, or it may be maximized to fill the Access window.

Use the maximize button

maximize button
and the restore button
buttons to switch between the two options.
You can minimize a window by using the minimize button
To close an object window click the window’s close button
.

Use the following simulation to open and close objects in a database.

Closing the Database Window

Take care when you are closing open windows, if you close the Database window, you will close the whole database. Access saves data as you enter it, so you will not lose any work. And if you have been working on defining an object, Access will check with you about saving changes before closing. If you do accidentally close the database, just open it up again and continue working.
The following features are no longer available, as of Access 2007:

Designing Data Access Pages (DAPs)
Microsoft Offi ce XP Web Components
Replication
The UI for import and export in older formats
User-Level Security and Workgroup Administrator

The following features are no longer available as of Access 2010:

Calendar control (mscal.ocx)
ISAM support, including Paradox, Lotus 1-2-3, and Jet 2.x or older
Opening Data Access Pages (DAPs)
Replication Confl ict Viewer
Snapshot format for report output

What Happens When a 2007/2010 Microsoft Database Is Opened by Prior Versions
Access 2010 and 2007 introduced a multitude of new features available to both the MDB and ACCDB^[1] file formats. When working with multiple versions of Access, it can be confusing to keep track of what will work for each version. The following table lists the new features and how they will behave in prior versions of Access. New features for Access 2007 or 2010 MDB fi les are also available for ACCDB fi les, but the reverse is not always true. Features that are available for ACCDB files but not for 2007 or 2010 MDB files are denoted by the statement
"Not available to MDB fi les; only available in ACCDB fi le format."

Opening and closing Database Objects

Open the Clients table. You can use one of these two methods: Double-click the object you want to open, in this case the clients table, or Select the object you want to open (we have already highlighted the clients table for you) and click Open on the Database window toolbar.
Click the Table window maximize button to see more of the table.
Close the Clients table. You can use the Clients table close button, which appears directly beneath the Access window close button, to close the table.
View the list of forms in the database. Use the Object bar to view the different types of objects in the database--click Forms to see the forms in the database.
Open the Clients form. You can use one of these two methods: Double-click the object you want to open--in this case the Clients form, or select the object you want to open (since the Clients form is the only object available it will automatically be highlighted) and click Open on the Database window toolbar.
Click the Clients form window close button to close the Clients form and return to the Database window.
You have now successfully opened and closed table and form objects within the Database window.

Navigating among open Windows

Once you have used the Database window to open objects you may find that you have multiple windows open within Access. You can navigate among open windows in the following ways:

Click the window you want to use if any part of it is visible.
Use the Window menu to see a list of open windows. Click on the window you want to use.

The next lesson concludes this module. Review the new terminology we have covered, and take a quiz on the information you have learned.

[1] ACCDB file formats: Many Access databases contain hundreds or even thousands of tables, forms, queries, reports, macros, and modules. With a few exceptions, all the objects in an Access 2016 database reside within a single file with an extension of ACCDB or ACCDE. Access databases can also have an extension of MDB or MDE. Databases with these extensions are backward-compatible with Access 2003 and prior versions.