How to Create a New Database From Scratch in Microsoft Access

If you don't want to use the Database wizard, you can create your own database from scratch. These instructions work for Access 97.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Paper And Pencils
• Microsoft Access

1. Open Microsoft Access. From the File menu, click New, then Blank Database. Click OK.

2. A window appears, asking you to name and save your database. Move through the folders on your hard disk until you find the location you want, then type a name. Click Create. Your new database window appears.

3. Create the objects that will make up your database. These objects may include tables, forms, queries, macros, or materials, such as charts, that can be linked to from another file.

Tips & Warnings

• Databases can be very complex, especially if they are "relational" (that is, if you use multiple tables that share information with each other). It's a good idea to design your database with paper and pencil, sketching out the tables and fields, before creating it in Access.

• Avoid entering duplicate fields or records in more than one table. A relationship between tables that use duplicate information can be established through use of an identifier called a primary key, but the actual record should be entered only once.