How to View Relationships With the Relationship Builder in Access 2003

Keeping track of the many relationships that can 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 in Access 2003 gives you a clear picture of how existing relationships are set up. It also helps you identify where to create new relationships. Here are some steps to view relationships with the Relationship Builder in Microsoft Access 2003.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Microsoft Access 2003
• Computer

1. Open Microsoft Access 2003 on your computer by clicking on the icon on the desktop of your computer.

2. Close all tables. Click "Open" under the File menu to open a database window.

3. Click the Relationships icon in the toolbar (or choose "Relationships" from the Tools menu). The Relationships window will open. If you have any relationships established, you will 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.

4. If you make any changes to the relationships, save your changes by clicking on "Save" in the File menu before you close the program.

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.