Exploring MicrosoftAccess 2003

Chapter 7

Building Applications:

The Switchboard, Macros, andPrototyping

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 ViewRecord Source for switchboard isSwitchboard Items table

Switchboardcan have 8menu items

Main MenuAbout Sportsdisplays aninformational box

Teams buttonopens theTeams form

Switchboard Items

SwitchboardID identifieswhich switchboardeach item belongs to

ItemText specifiestext shown on Switchboard

ItemNumber identifiesposition of item onswitchboard

Command determinesaction taken when theitem is selected

Argument determinesobject to be acted on(form to be opened)

The Switchboard Manager

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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 Switchboard2. The Linked Table Manager3. Splitting a Database4. The Tech Support Macro5. Establishing Conditions6. Complete the Find Player Function7. The Add Player Macro8. Inserting a Hyperlink

Case Studies

• Client/Server Applications• Security Options• A Project for the Semester• The Database Wizard• Compacting versus Compressing• The AutoKeys Macro