Learn how to use Microsoft Access 2021 to create and share databases in this free online data management course.

This basic data management training course covers Microsoft Access 2021, one of the programs included in the Microsoft Office suite. We provide numerous examples with extensive explanations to help you use MS Access to build and manage large amounts of information in databases. We begin with an overview of MS Access that shows you how to acquire and set up the program before identifying new additions to its 2021 version. The course then teaches you how to use various blank or pre-built database templates. We then discuss how to create, save and open databases and take you through the MS Access interface to show you how to use the ‘Backstage’ and ‘Quick Access’ toolbars along with other menus, ribbons and groups.

This Access tutorial then explains how to create and edit a table and various fields and records.. We define ‘primary keys’ and demonstrate how to index them. We then show you how to add and set up database validation rules to prevent certain information from being added to the table. The course then moves on to the ‘Lookup’ Wizard used to create drop-down lists. We go through the steps taken to import data from MS Excel or a text file using the ‘External Data’ tab and ‘Import & Link’ group.

The course then moves on to the MS Access’ ‘Datasheet’ view and contextual ribbons as well as the ‘Design’ view used to design the layout of your table. We explain how to design, sort and filter data with ‘text’, ‘date’ and ‘number’ filters as you enter and modify data in ‘Datasheet’ view. Finally, we look at Access ‘relationships’ and show you how to set them up by creating a ‘Link’ table that connects two tables without a common field. This data management course has no prerequisites and provides a solid foundation on which to build further database skills. MS Access 2021 is a powerful and popular database program so sign up to learn how to manage, analyse and present data in any field.