What Is Microsoft Office Access 2003?
Microsoft Office Access 2003 is a relational database application included as part of Microsoft Office 2003. Access 2003 is suitable for both home and business use and can manage information ranging from a recipe collection to a business inventory system. While some background knowledge is useful to use Access 2003 to its full potential, the program is suitable for beginning through advanced users.
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Features
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Access 2003 features a layout and program menu identical similar to other Office 2003 programs. The main workspace consists of two default views that display information in Code View, Design View, or a combined view that displays both. Menu options include tabs for creating, managing, and viewing tables, queries, forms, and reports. Each Access 2003 table contains a specific type of information that it shares with other tables to eliminate data redundancy, or duplicate data. Queries retrieve specific information from tables and perform tasks, such as adding data to existing tables. Forms are data entry screens that enable you to view, enter, and edit data in tables. Built-in report templates and customized reports summarize and present table information.
Characteristics
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Distinguishing Microsoft Access 2003 characteristics include a "what you see is what you get," or WYSIWYG, report wizard that provides real-time report viewing. Automatic data type detection eliminates the need to remember multiple data types and data type conversions, and customizable field values provide support for including attachments, images, and spreadsheets in database records. Business users can configure Microsoft Access 2003 to use as a web-based application in conjunction with Windows SharePoint 2003.
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Add-ins
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Program add-ins can increase the functionality of Access 2003. Add-ins available at the Microsoft Download Center can assist in managing and maintaining the database, add program code developers write to create custom Access 2003 functions, and provide analysis tools that help increase database efficiency.
Training
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Assistance, help and training are available within Access 2003, the Microsoft website and third-party vendors. Limited assistance is available as you complete tasks with "tool tips" that describe task-related actions when you position the mouse over items like menu buttons. Some data entry entries cause a message box to appear that contains links to Help menu information. "Help and How-To" information is also available at the Microsoft website. Assistance ranges from beginner to advanced level instruction and includes presentations, webcasts, and links to third party training providers.
Considerations
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This product became unavailable for retail sale in November 2003, mainstream support ended in April 2009 and extended support will end in April 2014. Mainstream support includes product and security updates, program "fixes" and general technical support. Extended support is fee-based technical support available only to business customers who purchased the service within 90 days of product purchase.
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