EXAM REVIEW PROJECT
Microsoft Access Exam
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EXAM PROCEDURES
• 10 minutes to review project before starting
• 60 minutes to complete the exam
• In this presentation, suggested timing
guidelines are assigned to each step
– Use these as a guide to indicate how far along in
the project you should be at each step.
– Consider practicing and re-doing steps for which
you do not complete within the timing guideline.
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10-MINUTE EXAM REVIEW
PERIOD
• Read the Background Information and
Project Statement sections of the
instructions.
• Look over the tables to get an idea of what
kind of data is being used in this project.
• The slides of this presentation will serve
as a guideline to completing the project.
Time: 10 minutes
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STEP 1: DOWNLOAD XML FILES
• Access the XML files at the following URL:
http://cs101.wvu.edu/resources/exam
/review-projects/
• Exam review: Know what to do in
downloading and know that if the contents
are zipped, they must be extracted.
Time: 2 minutes
4
STEP 2: CREATE AN ACCESS
DATABASE
• Know how to launch Access and save a
new blank database with the given name.
Time: 2 minutes
5
STEP 3: IMPORT XML FILES
• Know how to import XML files.
• Be sure to verify the imported tables,
opening them to be sure they imported
correctly.
Time: 2 minutes
Points: 10 points
6
STEPS 4 & 5: CREATE A NEW
TABLE
• Know how to create a table – two steps:
– Part A is done in Design View.
• Know how to set-up fields for different data types.
– Part B is done in Datasheet View.
• It is impossible to do Part B before Part A!
• If you do setup a table incorrectly, the rest of
your project will not work right.
• Know how to troubleshoot common
problems!
Time: 5 minutes
Points: ≈12 points total
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STEP 6: DEFINE
RELATIONSHIPS
• Know how to specify relationships
– Drag between fields to create relationship lines
• Instructions will indicate the tables of a relationship
– Up to you to understand what fields are related!
– Join fields of same data, usually of same name.
• Problems here lead to trouble with your
queries!
Time: 4 minutes
Points: ≈ 5.5 points total
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STEP 7: QUERIES
The queries will take the most time. Practice before the test.
1. Read over and select tables, fields.
2. Add Calculated Fields, using the Builder tool. Don’t forget about
Aliasing.
3. Need a Totals Row? Look for keywords such as sum, average,
number of.
4. Advanced features: Join Properties? Query-specific
relationships?
5. Use the Criteria Row to restrict results by specifying criterion. Be
able to use and and or criteria.
6. Format fields using the Property Sheet. May need to Run the
query first.
7. Sort results using Sort Row.
8. Run the query to test.
Time: 25 minutes
Points: 7.5 points each
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STEP 8: FORM WIZARD
• Practice with the Form Wizard.
– Most important part is to select the right fields
from the right tables or queries.
• Don’t forget to name both the Form and SubForms, however.
Time: 4 minutes
Points: 7.5 points
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STEP 9: REPORT WIZARD
• Don’t forget to name your report at the last
step of the report wizard.
• Read the NOTE in the Instructions: Use Layout
View to modify the column widths so all fields
are visible.
– Know how to do this! (Don’t waste time if you
are stuck.)
Time: 3 minutes
Points: 7.5 points
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STEP 10: ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
• Standard table – two parts:
– Design View first, Datasheet View second.
– Answers go in datasheet view.
• Use Memo data type for your responses.
• Can also widen and stretch cells like in Excel
for visibility.
• Analysis questions are worth 20%!
– If you’re running short on time, try to at least get
these done since they’re worth a lot of points.
Time: 10 minutes
Points: 5 points each
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STEP 11: COMPACT & REPAIR
• Don’t forget this step! It appears after the
analysis questions, and may be
overlooked.
• After Compact & Repair, the database will
be saved (there is no notice that it
completed).
Time: 1 minute
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SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT
• Finally, submit your files like any other
project.
• Close Access before submitting your project.
• Be absolutely sure you do NOT submit the
wrong file; i.e. with an L in the extension
(*.*laccdb)
• The correct file is one with a name such as
filename.accdb
Time: 2 minutes
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