Tables and Keys

Now that you have a database, you need to create tables which will store the data.

Your first table will look like this when it is completed

1. Click on the Create tab, then click on the Table icon:

In Access. the columns of a table are called fields. As you can see below, the first field has been automatically created and named ID (you'll learn more about ID fields later).

2. To create your second field, double-click on Add New Field and type Performer. It should look like this:

3. Hit the Enter key to accept the name

4. Make two more fields: TypeOfMusic and Description.

Now you'll start entering data in the table.

5. Put your cursor in the cell under Performer and type Aventura (which is the name of a band). Notice the ID filled in automatically (in yours it may be a number 1 rather than a 3 as you see here).

5. Type in more data until you have this (don't worry if the ID numbers are different, and feel free to enter whatever information you want in the Description field):

Now, take some time to learn about the ID field:

PRIMARY KEY

Each row in the table is called a record. A well-designed database always has a field (or fields) that holds the unique identifier for each record. This field(s) is called the Primary Key.

Often this identifier is a number, but it could be text or a combination of text and a number

The important characteristic is that it is unique meaning that each record has a different one

In the table you just created, the Primary Key field has the name ID

NOTE: In Excel, you have rows & columns, in Access you have records & fields

6. To save your table, do one of the usual things (i.e., click on the Save icon in the upper left-hand corner or click on the Office button and choose Save or right-click on the tab labeled Table1). Give it the name tablePerformers

Once it's saved, the name will appear in the list on the left side of the screen:

Go to the Catalyst quiz and answer questions #3-6.

Next, you will create two more tables

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