I think it would be useful if we developed some Microsoft Access Cheat Sheets in pdf format that users can download.

Your thoughts?

Sounds good. Maybe host some sample databases that would show the basics of table design, as that seems to be where a lot of people have trouble.

If you want to get fancy, you could create some adobe captivate learning modules showing step by step instructions and host them.

If you want to get fancy, you could create some adobe captivate learning modules showing step by step instructions and host them.

We haven't got video hosting capability yet!

I will be making a separate post about adding a tutorial section, so that might cover table design.

The idea with a cheat sheet is a quick reference so you can check stuff like maybe naming convention, referring to subforms etc. Then again, I am open to suggestions.

I want it to be useful to both beginners and more advanced. We all need help with reference material.

I'm just compiling the cheat sheet and have started off with this:

Tables - store data
Queries - ask questions of that data
Forms - Input, edit and view data
Reports - view data, often summarized
Macros - automation
Modules - automation

Field - stores individual piece of data
Record - a group of fields within a table that represent one entry


Primary Key - uniquely identifies a record e.g. reference number.

Like "
Between x and y
Null - no data
Autonumber - incremental number, often used for Primary Key
Index -
Control - Object on a Form or Report
Dynaset - resulting records from a Query
Parameter Query -
Find and Replace - CTRL+F
Autoexec - name macro autoexec to have it auto-run on loading up database


Improvements and recommendations of what to include are always helpful! Maybe we need one for Microsoft Access and one for VBA. But for now, lets focus on Microsoft Access.

Oh, and I want to keep the cheat sheet brief - just one page.