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Views are saved SELECT statements that allow you to operate on the results that are returned from them. They can be used to provide row- or column-level access to data, to wrap up complex joins, to perform complex aggregate queries, and to otherwise customize the display of data. Views are also a powerful security tool. In this chapter, learn how to define, create, and modify views, and how to perform index analysis and optimize performance in SQL Server.

Here you can learn just enough relational theory to enable you to design Access databases that take advantage of the way relational database operations work. Understanding the concept of data normalization will help you to take advantage of its real-world benefits, giving you flexibility and saving disk space.

In this sample chapter from Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Office Access 2003 in 24 Hours, you'll learn the basics of adding fields and applying sorting and simple criteria. You'll find out why queries are important and gain prowess working in both the Datasheet view and the Design view.

Find out how to reap the benefits of data normalization in Access while ensuring that your system provides users with all the information they need. Learn to relate your application's tables to each other, so that your users can view the data in the system as a single entity. After you define relationships between tables, you can build queries, forms, reports, and data access pages that combine information from multiple tables.

Afraid of the dark? Spiders? Heights? If you are an experienced Word/Excel user who has Access-phobia, this article is for you. Herb Tyson shows you how to use Word and Excel to start creating what should be a simple database. When limitations become obvious, you learn how to use an Excel spreadsheet as the starting point for an Access database that ultimately will be more useful.

If you can't use Access for more than five minutes without cursing, join the club. If you're an experienced Word and Excel user who has not experienced Access, this article will help you overcome Access-phobia and easily recover from frightening Access experiences. If you're an Access expert and are easily angered, on the other hand, please don't read this article! In this second Access Fear Factor article, Herb Tyson encourages you to eschew Access best practices and to avoid overcomplicating matters.

Shelley O'Hara explains how to enter data into a database table, creating the records for your database table. She also cover how to work with the records, edit data, sort records, and print data.