Access 2010: Locked Databases and Database Management
When you create or work with databases, two files are actually open, one is the actual database and the other is a temporary file. Now in other applications, we’ve gotten used to seeing temp files with tildes, or with truncated filenames. Access 2010 however displays lock files with an l before the regular file extension, so for instance, filename.laccdb for the lock file.
Access 2010: Quick Start Fields
When you are building a table and adding fields, Access makes it easy to add related fields by grouping them so they can be added in one step. For instance, Start and End Date is one Quick Start Field. Address is an example of another where it combines multiple fields but the creator of the table only adds a single field to the table making table creation easier. To work with Quick Start fields, create a table. Select the Table Tools contextual tab, with the Fields tab selected. In the Add & Delete group, click More Fields. Scroll to the bottom and locate the Quick Start fields. Identify the ones that you wish to add to your table and drag them over, one at a time as needed. Once a field is added, click in the column to the right where the column will be labeled Click to Add. If you miss this step, the Quick Start fields will be added between your existing fields in the table.
Access 2007 and 2010: Navigation Pane
The Navigation pane in Access 2007 and 2010 replaces the Database window from previous version. The pane can be resized by clicking and dragging when you see the double-sided arrow. Collapse the pane or expand it again by clicking the double arrows at the top of the Navigation pane. The arrows change direction dependent on whether the pane is expanded or collapsed. Each section in the pane also has arrows that can be clicked to expand or collapse the section. Click in the Search box to search the pane. And click the down-pointing arrow above that, at the very top of the pane) and you can filter the type of items displayed in the pane. For instance, filter by Create Date, Tables and Related Views, to show only Tables and more. You can even define a custom view. The keyboard shortcut is Windows+F11.
Access 2010: Shortcuts for Switching Between Design and Data Views
There are a few shortcuts for switching between Design and Data view in Access. The first method is simply by selecting the Home tab and in the Views group, just click the View button. Click directly on the button and it toggles from one view to the other. While there are other methods such as right-clicking on various areas to switch views, you can also use the Status bar to quickly change views. Look for two small icons that should appear at the far right end of the screen. If you don’t see these, alternate-click on an unused portion of the Status bar and select the option View Shortcuts. Now click the shortcut buttons to toggle between Design and Data views.
Access 2007 and 2010: The Difference Between the Format Painter in Access vs. Word
The Format Painter can quickly pick up formatting from one location and literally paint it onto other areas of your file. Microsoft Word and other Office application users have long become accustomed to this feature. It’s available in Access to; however there is one small difference that you have to be aware of. Instead of selecting the word or words to copy the formatting from, just click on them until you see the border appear surrounding it. Then, just like the rest of the Office applications, click on the Format Painter, then on the area where you wish to paint the formatting. To keep the Format Painter active until you turn it off you can double-click on the Format Painter button instead of clicking just once. Press Esc to turn the feature off.