Lesson 1

Microsoft Access is a powerful application with lots and lots of options.
This module will get you started with Access and introduces you to the essential parts of the Access window, and you will learn the most common ways to open and use an Access database. After completing this module you will be able to:

1. Open and close an Access database
2. Identify the components of the Access window
3. Use Access’s online help system to find the information you need
4. Use the Database window to navigate a database

As with many of the Microsoft Office applications, there are many ways to complete a given task within Access. In this course I will cover the most common way. If you are familiar with a different way to complete a task, feel free to use it. Occasionally I will cover alternative approaches in a sidebar.

As a Microsoft Access Administrator, you are in a great position to share your knowledge about the essential parts of the Access window. Here's a breakdown of the key components to get you started:

1. Ribbon: This is your control center. It's the strip across the top of Access where you find tabs like 'Home', 'Create', and 'Database Tools'. Each tab holds a bunch of tools and options. Think of it as your toolbox for everything Access-related.
2. Navigation Pane: On the left side, you've got the Navigation Pane. It's super handy for hopping between different parts of your database, like tables, queries, forms, and reports. It's like a roadmap to all your data.
3. Document Tabs: These tabs, located below the Ribbon, let you switch between open objects like tables or forms. It's like having multiple file folders open at once, and you can easily flip between them.
4. Status Bar: Down at the bottom, the Status Bar gives you the lowdown on what's happening. It shows messages about the status of your database and sometimes offers helpful tips.
5. Work Area: This is where the magic happens. It's the big space where you open and work on your tables, queries, forms, and reports. Think of it as your canvas for creating and managing data.
6. Quick Access Toolbar: This small but mighty toolbar is at the very top. You can customize it with shortcuts to your most-used commands, like Save or Undo. It's like having your favorite tools always within reach.

These components are the bread and butter of Access. Knowing them inside out will make navigating and using Access so much easier for you and your trainees.

The Form object in Access includes four properties that would appear to give an indication as to the location of a form onscreen:

1. WindowHeight,
2. WindowLeft,
3. WindowTop, and
4. WindowWidth.

These properties actually return values based on the client workspace within the Access application window. Because these values can change based on the location of the Access window itself, there is no built-in mechanism to expose the current xy position of a form. The following example demonstrates how to use the GetWindowRect API to return the form's screen position in pixels.