What Is a Microsoft Access Database?

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By Robert Karr
eHow Contributing Writer

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Microsoft Access is sold separately or as part of a Microsoft Office Suite. The current version is labeled 2007. An Access database is one created within Microsoft Access using their proprietary file structure. The program is considered an industry standard in the microcomputer area.

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History

Computer databases came into use in the 1960s for mainframe computers. In the 1980s, dBase for the Apple II was developed, followed by Microsoft Access in 1992.

Function

Access stores lists of data in tables and fields in a database. Each data record is identified by a unique number. Information in a field can be updated by retrieving the individual record.

Features

Besides the basic data entry screen, Microsoft Access includes the ability to create reports based on user-chosen criteria. Forms can be developed to make inputting data easier, and search queries written to find records.

Benefits

Originally, databases consisted just of long lists of records in text form, called a "flat file." Search for individual information was cumbersome and time-consuming.

Fun Fact

Before the database program, Microsoft offered a communications program called Access. It was a failure and discontinued, to be followed later by the extremely successful database software.