How to Create a Computerized Recipe Database

With a computerized recipe database, you easily can manage the menus for all of your meals. Choose a program that allows you to search, sort, navigate and delete records. Once you have created a pleasing layout design, just enter each recipe as an individual document.

Instructions

1. Open the database program. Create a new file. Give it a name. Save it on the desktop or a rewritable CD.

2. Access the layout mode. Create fields for each record. Include fields for: "Recipe Title," "Date Created," "Record ID No.," "Measurements," "Ingredients," "Number of Servings," "Meal Type," "Food Category," "Preparation Instructions" and "Cook's Notes." Specify the type of information such as text, date or number that each field contains.

3. Preview a draft layout. Include any special options, such as enabling automatic completion for words or automatic entering for dates in applicable fields. Format fields with font and text alignment settings. Resize fields as necessary.

4. Revise the layout as to the position of fields. Place "Recipe Title" at the top left with "Record ID No." to its right. Put "Ingredients" to the right of "Quantities." Position "Cook's Notes" under "Preparation Instructions" and "Number of Servings" at the end.

5. Return to the main file menu. Access the field set-up menu. Choose value lists for the "Meal Type" and "Food Category" fields. Type a list of suggestions for each, such as "Breakfast" for "Meal Type."

6. Complete the recipe database by accessing the printing specifications menu for the layout. Create separate layouts for browsing, sorting and entering data. Include only fields necessary to the particular layout view. Be sure to specify a printer-friendly layout.

Tips & Warnings

• The above guidelines can be used with any database software program.