MS Access Training? - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008

Hello everyone! Information on this may already be here somewhere, but haven't found it yet. Just wondering if anyone knows of a good resource for getting MS Access training on - more or less - an intermediate to advance level.

I know how to do the basics - but need to get better at understanding things like how & when to build relationships, and some other more advance stuff.

Thanks for any help

!

Ivy Freelance · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008

Not sure what courses are out there these days, but I can offer a few online resources. There is a lot of information right on the Microsoft Access site. There's a training section in the left frame.

And here are a couple of sites that have a lot of tips and help:
Allen Browne's Tips for Microsoft Access
Dev Ashish's The Access Web

However, personally I think it's easier to learn data design and structure if you have someone to talk things over with. Maybe there's an inhouse local college course or something like that near to you? Or maybe an online course that has an instructor.

If you stick with books or tutorials, look for something that explains "normalization" and then make sure you follow 1st, 2nd and 3rd normal forms. This will help you figure out relational tables. Here is one site I found through Google that explains it - TechTrax. I think it's also explained at the Microsoft site above.

Anyway, hope at least some of that helps.

Deb

#3 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008

Hi Deb -

I'm in meetings most of the day today, but I'll definitely check out those tip sites and let you know how that goes. Also, very helpful advise to know that there are different forms of normalization to focus on.

I've been all through the MS Website, and I have one really huge book that is from MS Press...but it's been hard for me to sort it all out. I agree. Would be much easier to have someone I could work with in person.

Thank you sooo much! Pam

D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance · #4 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008

Hi Pam,

I learned MS Access when I was in school for web design and then more thoroughly on the job. I wanted to brush up on my skills and learn more ways to utilize MS Access. I found an online course through my local community college. The course is still available and although it may be not be local to you, it is offered through their distance learning portion of their programs.

http://tinyurl.com/43bo8j

The instructor went over macros, relationships, and a variety of functions. The course did leave me wanting more (not always a bad thing) and it helped me with the things I wanted to learn. I was quite pleased.

You can also look into your community college to see if they offer a similar course.

Ivy Freelance · #5 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008

Hi Pam. Just to clarify, normalization has more than 3 "forms" - it's just that the first three are the ones mostly concentrated on. And you need to do all three, in order.

And those tip sites are just that - mostly tips on how to do quite specific things. Probably not what you need to learn the whole process. But they can be very helpful after you get going.

Deb

#6 (**permalink**) 10-15-2008

Hi Deb -
10-4 on that. Thanks much!