Exploring Microsoft
Access 2003
Chapter 7
Building Applications:
The Switchboard, Macros, and
Prototyping
Objectives (1 of 2)
• Use the Switchboard Manager create multiple
switchboard
• Use Link Tables command
• Describe how macros are used to automate
applications
• Describe components of Macro window
Objectives (2 of 2)
• Explain how prototyping facilitates application
development
• Use the Unmatched Query Wizard
• Create a macro group
Overview
• Develop a database user interface
• Understand and create an application
• Prototype to demonstrate “look and feel” to
potential users
• Macros automate common commands
Switchboard Design View
Record Source for switchboard is
Switchboard Items table
Switchboard
can have 8
menu items
Main Menu
About Sports
displays an
informational box
Teams button
opens the
Teams form
Switchboard Items
SwitchboardID identifies
which switchboard
each item belongs to
ItemNumber identifies
position of item on
switchboard
ItemText specifies
text shown on Switchboard
Command determines
action taken when the
item is selected
Argument determines
object to be acted on
(form to be opened)
The Switchboard Manager
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Hands-On Exercise 1
Open the Sports Objects Database
The Link Tables Command
Import the About Sports Form
Start the Switchboard Manager
Complete the Switchboard
Test the Switchboard
Add your records
Complete the data Entry
Insert the Clip Art
Complete the Design
Introduction to Macros
• Macro automate a command sequence
• Macro window divided in two: actions and
arguments
• Macro toolbar appears at the top of the macro
window
• AutoExec macro is run whenever database is
opened
• Debugging provides error messages
Macros and Prototyping
Hands-On Exercise 2
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Create the AutoExec Macro
Create the Prototype Macro
Create the Close Database Macro
Create the Report Switchboard
Modify/Test the Main Switchboard
Test the Report Switchboard
Create the Add Player Macro
Close Database Macro
MsgBox action
Close action
(to close form)
Close action
(to close database)
Enter macro name
Using Macro Groups
• Macros are grouped to organize the macros for
the developer
• Individual macros within a group must be
identified by name and group name (e.g.
“MacroGroupName.MacroName”)
The Player Draft
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Hands-On Exercise 3
The unmatched Query Wizard
Modify the Query
Create the unmatched Players Form
Create the Player Draft Macro Group
Create/Modify the Player Draft Form
Add the Command Buttons
Modify the Main Switchboard
Test the Completed System
Prototyping
• Designed to set up a partially completed version
of an application
• Helps organize and outline what should be in the
database
• Does not contain much real information
Prototyping
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Hands-On Exercise 4
Create the Prototype Macro
Create the Report Menu Form
Add the Command Buttons
Complete the Report Menu
Modify the Main Menu
Test the Completed System
Chapter 7 Summary
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Switchboard makes a database user friendly
Splitting tables from objects simplifies upgrades
Macros automate a command sequence
AutoExec macro executes when database opens
Unmatched query wizard finds records in one
table without matching records in another table
• Prototype demonstrates “look and feel” of the
application before it is completed
Practice with Access 2000
1. Report Switchboard
2. The Linked Table Manager
3. Splitting a Database
4. The Tech Support Macro
5. Establishing Conditions
6. Complete the Find Player Function
7. The Add Player Macro
8. Inserting a Hyperlink
Case Studies
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Client/Server Applications
Security Options
A Project for the Semester
The Database Wizard
Compacting versus Compressing
The AutoKeys Macro