Tutorial 3: Creating Reports in Microsoft Access

Microsoft Access is an intuitive program that allows you to create a relational database.  Access allows you to organize and work with data and information effectively.  Access allows you to work with tables of information to create forms, queries, and reports.  This tutorial will teach you how to generate a report after you have inputted data into the table and get it ready for printing.  I will be using Access 2007 while demonstrating.

We first start with a table of information.  I will be using a sample table.  Once you have inputted the table or query you wish to use you can then click on “Create” in the ribbon bar.

 Source: Screen shot by Erick Ramdeholl  

You can now click on “Report Wizard” in the “Reports” ribbon bar.  This will load the “Report Wizard.”  There are many ways to create reports in Access.  The “Report Wizard” will walk you through the majority of the steps, which I find easier.

Source: Screen shot by Erick Ramdeholl  

The "Report Wizard" should look like the image bellow once open.  Arrow 1 shows you where you can click to select a table or query to pull the data from.  Arrow 2 shows the available fields you can select.  You can either select each field one at a time by clicking " > " or add all fields by clicking " >>. "  Fields can be removed by clicking the corresponding buttons bellow.  Once you have completed those steps, you can click "Next."

Source:  Screen shot by Erick Ramdeholl

The next step in the wizard will allow you to group information.  Grouping allows you to organize information by similarities such as, "City" or "Last Name."  The arrow denotes where you can click to prioritize information.  The field closest to the top will be grouped first with priority.  After you have completed this step, you can click "Next."

 Source: Screen shot by Erick Ramdeholl

  

The next step in the wizard allows you to sort data of fields in either ascending or descending order.  After you have completed this section, you can click "Next."

 

Source: Screen shot by Erick Ramdeholl

 

 

The next step will help you lay out your report.  In this step, you can select layout format and orientation.  I prefer to use a stepped format.  Portrait or landscape can be selected under "Orientation."  You may want to use landscape if your report contains many fields of data.  I leave the box checked in towards the bottom.  The field widths usually have to be adjusted again later, this will make that process faster.  Once completed, click "Next."

 

Source: Screen shot by Erick Ramdeholl

 

This step allows you to select a style.  There are many styles Microsoft offers.

 

Source:  Screen shot by Erick Ramdeholl

This is the final step of the wizard.  You can just click "Finish."

 

Source: Screen shot by Erick Ramdeholl

 

After completing the wizard, you will be brought to the "Print Preview" view.  The different views can be selected at the upper left portion of the ribbon bar.  If all your data can't make it onto on sheet, we can adjust the field widths further.  You can do this by going into the "Design View."  Field widths can be adjusted by clicking and dragging the edge (see arrow in image) the field to the correct width.  You should double check all fields are on the page by using the "Print Preview."  Other features like margin adjustment and paper size can be selected in "Print Preview."

 

Source:  Screen shot by Erick Ramdeholl

Congratulations!  Your report is now ready to be printed.

The YouTube video bellow offers more information on creating Access reports.  

    
 Source: YouTube  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER6a5QPpZa8

Database Project

I have gained vast amounts of knowledge of the powers of Microsoft Access.  Access provides an intuitive platform that allows you to create a database, forms, reports, and queries.  This project thought me the basics of those aspects.  I can now use Access with confidence.  I have become familiar with the different tools and views that allow you to motivate data.  From there, I will be able to expand my knowledge of Access.  This knowledge will be greatly important when entering the business world.  Effectively assessing data is the key to the success of a business.

There are a few things that would help create a more effective database.  The database is missing important contact information such as phone numbers.  Creating "drop down menus" would make inputting data into the form quicker and easier.  For instance, there is no reason why you should have to type in "individual" or "family" under the type of member.  If someone were to misspell "individual," that data would not be sorted in the "Recently Departed Individual Members Report."  Creating selection menus would make this much easier to use and error-resistant.   

Web 2.0 Presentation

Lower Suwannee River Fishing and Wildlife Presentation

Peer critiquing was extremely helpful in creating an effective presentation.  By critiquing others, it was easy to learn from others mistakes and strong points.  More importantly, it was important to critique my own presentation as I was completing it.

I believe there was a logical flow in my presentation.  I accomplished this by introducing the location first.  I then described different species of fish; I started with the redfish and black drum because they are in the family.  Then went on to describe the sheepshead that looks similar to the drum fish and then other wildlife that was seen.  Throughout the presentation, I tried to address questions I thought would come up.  The first question, “Do you like to get your line wet and enjoy the great outdoors?” grabbed the audience’s attention in less than 60 seconds.  I also accomplished this with the first photo.  That picture makes the audience wonder about what I will be talking about next.

Throughout my presentation, I avoided clutter by using simple phrases and one picture per slide.  I did have one slide that contained two pictures of a redfish.  This was done to help aid in comparison of the two fish.  Readability was ensured by using colors that easily contrast.  I believe my presentation was very consistent and error free.  I did not validate any claims that weren’t true.  All claims made were based on facts.  I made sure I said what had to be said before showing it.  My presentation was very concise and the topic was easily discernible by the audience.

I have learned a great deal of knowledge from creating this presentation that will help me in the business world.  Creating effective presentations is very important in business.  Business is now global and much of business will be done over the internet.  This presentation allowed me to exercise the use of Web 2.0 tools.  I have learned how to effectively use programs such as PowerPoint and integrate the presentation into Camtasia.  I then learned how to broadcast my presentation for all to see on YouTube.  The skills learned will surely impress managers and business partners in the future.