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

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STEP 2: CREATE AN ACCESS DATABASE

• Know how to launch Access and save a new blank database with the given name.

Time: 2 minutes

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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

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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 Sub-Forms, 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