Access 2010

Introduction

While you can always enter data directly into database tables, you might find it easier to use forms. Using a form to enter data lets you be certain that you're entering the right data in the right location and format. This can help keep your database accurate and consistent.

This lesson will address the benefits of using forms in a database. You will review examples of different forms and form components. Finally, you will learn how to use forms to enter new records and view and edit existing ones.

In this lesson, we will be working with forms in our sample database. If you would like to follow along, download our example and use it to follow the procedures demonstrated in this lesson.

Why use forms?

Many of us fill out forms so often that we hardly even notice when we're asked to use them. Forms are so popular because they're useful for both the person asking for the information and the person providing it. They are a way of requiring information in a specific format, which means the person filling out the form knows exactly which information to include and where to put it.

Filling out a paper form

This is just as true of forms in Access. When you enter information into a form in Access, the data goes exactly where it's supposed to go—into one or more related tables. While entering data into simple tables is fairly straightforward, data entry becomes more complicated as you start populating tables with records from elsewhere in the database. For instance, the orders table in a bakery's database might link to information about customers, products, and prices drawn from related tables. A record with information about a single order might look like this:

A record of an order

In fact, in order to see the entire order you would also have to look at the order items table, where the menu items that make up each order are recorded.

More records describing the same order

The records in these tables include ID numbers of records from other tables. You can't learn much just by glancing at these records, as the ID numbers don't tell you much about the data they relate to. Plus, since you have to look at two tables just to view one order, you might have a challenging time even finding the right data. It's easy to see how viewing or entering many records this way could become a difficult and tedious task.

A form containing the same data might look like this:

The same order viewed in a form

As you can see, this record is much easier to understand when viewed in a form. Modifying the record would be easier too, since you wouldn't have to know any ID numbers to enter new data. When you're using a form, you don't have to worry about entering data into the right tables or in the right format—the form can handle those things itself. There's no need to go back and forth between tables or to search carefully within a table for a certain record, since forms let you see entire records one at a time.

Not only do forms make the data entry process easier for users, but they also keep the database itself working smoothly. With forms, database designers can control exactly how users are able to interact with the database. They can even set restrictions on individual form components to ensure that all of the needed data is entered, and that it's all entered in a valid format. This is useful, as keeping the data consistent and well-organized is essential for an accurate and powerful database.

Working with forms

Video: Working with Forms in Access 2010

Watch the video (4:16).

To work with forms in Access, you'll need to know how to open a form, as well as how to view and edit the information in a form.

To open an existing form:

1. Open your database, and locate the Navigation Pane.
2. In the Navigation Pane, locate the form you would like to open. Forms are marked with the icon.
3. Double-click the name of the form. It will open and appear as a tab in the Document Tabs bar.
   Opening a form

Entering and modifying data

Depending on the database you're using, the forms you work with may include special tools and features that let you complete common tasks with one click of a button. You'll see examples of these tools in the interactives on the next page. However, regardless of which type of form you're working with you can follow the same procedures for carrying out certain basic tasks.

To add a new record:

There are two ways to add a new record to a form:

• In the Records group on the Home tab of the Ribbon, click the New command.
  Creating a new record from the Ribbon

• On the Record Navigation bar at the bottom of the window, click the New Record button.
  Creating a new record from the Record Navigation bar

To find an existing record to view or edit:

There are two ways to find and view an existing record using a form, and they both use the Navigation Bar at the bottom of the screen:

• To look through records one at a time, click the navigation arrows. The right arrow will take you to the next record, and the left arrow will take you to the previous one.
  Navigating through records
• To search for a record, type a word you know is contained in that record in the navigation search box.
  Searching for a record

To save the current record:

1. Select the Home tab, and locate the Records group.
2. Click the Save command. The current record will be saved.
   Saving a record

To delete the current record:

1. Select the Home tab, and locate the Records group.
2. Click the Delete command. The record will be permanently deleted.
   Deleting a record

Using form features

The exact procedure you use for filling out a form will vary depending on the content and design of the form you are using. The forms in your database might be similar to the examples in the two interactives below. Between them, they include most of the features you'll commonly encounter in forms.

Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn about a simple form.

More Form Buttons

Form buttons can provide quick and easy ways to carry out common tasks. Buttons are usually labeled with text or with icons similar to those used on the Ribbon or Quick Access Toolbar. From left to right, the buttons here allow a user to save, delete, or print the current record.

Combo Box

In order to guarantee that users only enter valid responses, the database designer may use a combo box. A combo box allows you to enter data by choosing from a drop-down list of choices.

Text Box with Validation Rule

If the database designer has created any rules specifying what type of data can be entered in each field, these rules will be reflected in the related forms. If you encounter a message like this one, simply click OK and re-enter the data following the instructions in the dialog box.

New Record Button

Clicking the New Record button will create a new record with all fields cleared except for fields with a default value.

Drop-Down Search Box

This drop-down search box allows you to search for existing records. Simply begin typing, and records that match your search will appear in the drop-down list. You can also browse existing records - just click the drop-down arrow and scroll through the list of records.

Text Box

Most data entry using forms is done with labeled text boxes. A text box is the Access equivalent of the blank space where you would write your information on a paper form. To enter data into a text box, simply click in the text box and begin typing.

Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn about a complex form.

Yes/No Checkboxes

There are only two valid responses for the Pre Order and Paid fields in our related table: yes and no. Checkboxes give users an easy way to input this data. Simply click the checkbox for yes or leave it unchecked for no.

Calendar Button

Since the Pickup Date field on the related form only accepts information formatted as a date, the Pickup Date text box includes a calendar button to ensure that users can only enter a date in the desired format. Requiring dates to be entered in a consistent format ensures that the database will recognize each entry in this field as a date.

Sub-Form and Embedded Table

In our database, order items are stored in a separate table from the orders themselves. In order to enter and display order data, this form includes an embedded sub-form and table. This orders table can be viewed and searched like a normal table, but it only includes data linked to this particular order.

Add Item to Sub-Form

This button launches the sub-form that allows you to add a new record to the embedded table. When using a sub-form like this, enter the data as you would in a normal form, then click Save and Close. The new record will be displayed in the embedded table.

Drop-Down List

Instead of typing the customer name into a text box, anyone using this form must select a name from this drop-down list. This means that we can only record orders from customers whose information we've already entered into our database. Requiring that each order is linked to an actual customer record helps preserve the integrity of our database.

New Order

This customized button will create a new record with all fields cleared. Note that the subform, too, is totally cleared.

Challenge!

1. If you haven't already, download our sample database and open it.
2. Open the Orders Form.
3. Create a new record with the following data:
   • Customer: Eric Oglesby
   • Pickup date: February 14, 2011
   • Order items: Cakes: Coconut (1)
   • Notes: Write "Happy Valentine's Day!" with pink frosting.
   • Pre Order: Yes
   • Paid: Yes
4. Open the Customers Form.
5. Find the record for customer Dwight Parker and make the following changes:
   • Street Address: 190 Cook Street
   • City: Chapel Hill
   • Zip Code: 27514
   • Email: dwightp@email.com