How to View Microsoft Access Relationships With the Relationship Builder

Keeping track of the many relationships that might occur in a large database can be confusing. (A "relationship" is where one field is used in multiple tables in the database.) The Relationship Builder gives you a clear picture of how existing relationships are set up. It also helps you identify where to create new relationships. These instructions apply to MS Access 97.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microsoft Access

1. Close all tables, then press the F11 key to open the database window.

2. Click the Relationships icon in the toolbar (or choose Relationships from the Tools menu). The Relationships window opens. If you have any relationships established, you see images representing the tables that are related. The relationships are indicated by a line drawn from a field in one table to the related field in another. If no relationships are established, the window is empty.

Tips & Warnings

• If no relationships are established, you can create them by using the Show Tables box. Access it by choosing Show Tables from the Relationships menu or clicking on the Show Tables icon in the toolbar. (See the related eHow "Create a One-to-Many Relationship in Microsoft Access" and "Create a Many-to-Many Relationship in Microsoft Access.)