Database

A database is an organized collection of information. The card catalog in the library is a database; the phone book is a database; you can probably think of other databases. Microsoft Access is the database program we use at Otsego elementary buildings.

Within the database file, you divide your data into separate storage containers called tables; you view, add, and update table data by using forms; you find and use just the data you want by using queries; and you analyze or print data in a specific layout by using reports.

To analyze your data or present it a certain way in print, you create a report. For example, you might print one report that groups data and calculates totals, and another report with different data formatted for printing mailing labels.

Vocabulary

database	a organized collection of information (Ex: telephone book, recipe file, file cabinet, dictionary, CD-ROM encyclopedia, on-line databases)
data	a general term for pieces of information that a computer processes
field	one piece of information - A field consists of the field name (for example City) and field entries (for example, Weston, Haskins, and Grand Rapids). In the table or datasheet, each field is displayed in a separate column.
record	all of the pieces of information listed for one particular item (person, place or thing) in the database file. (Records are made up of fields.)
label	A label is any area on a form or report where titles or descriptions are shown.
table (datasheet)	A table is a grid made up of columns and rows, which is used to store, organize, and view data on a particular topic. A single database may contain many tables containing information about related topics, such as addresses and library book information. Also called datasheet. It looks like a spreadsheet.
form	A form shows only the information you want to see, in the order you want to see it. A form is used to view information in a database, enter new data into the database, or edit entries.
Edit	to make any change to the information in a database
Entry	each piece of information entered for each field or record
Enter/Entering	to type an item of information into a field in a database (use the tab key or mouse click to go to the next field, or a different field).
report	A report is a way to present your data as a printed page. You have control over the size and appearance of everything on a report, soyou can display the information any way you want to see it.
query (search, filter, find)	a process used to locate all records that match a statement, rule, or criterion. This process may also be called find, match, filter or query in some database software.
sort (arrange)	to rearrange the records in a database file in alphabetical or numerical order. Records can be sorted in ascending (ABC, 1-2-3) or descending (ZYX, 3-2-1) order. (Example of keywords that you may need to sort: highest, lowest, largest, smallest, most, least, greatest, or fewest)
design view	Design view allows you to add fields or make changes to the appearance and/or order of the database.
control	A control is any graphical object on a form or report that can be selected or manipulated. Controls include, but are not limited to, text boxes, labels, graphics, and lines.

Online Glossary

Exercises
This section is still under construction.
Online Activities:	Personalized Letter	Create Your Own Adventure
Crazy Eights - Parts of Speech	1 - Homework - Handwritten Parts of Speech Review Homework fill in 2-Computer 1st Examples Access Form to fill in (1st example 4 words Word - Insert Merge Fields Word - Merged Document 1st example 3-Student Instructions --Create your own form --Create a mail merge Word document --Create the final documents
Mad Libs - Predesigned	Database Form - Access Insert Merge Fields - Word Final Merged Document - Work
Research Forms:	Music Masters Files	Presidents Files
	Instructions Database Form	Instructions Database Form
Address Book:	Homework	Instructions
	Invitation (Merge)	Report