Functions and Uses of MS-Access

MS-Access is a database management tool of Microsoft. This is given with MS-Office package. There is need for a database management tools like Access for all corporate and private organizations etc., where large amount of data to be handled. When large amount of data is being saved and processed the name "Database" is used. Database management is the process of manipulating the stored data to the requirements. Databases are designed to offer an organized mechanism for storing, managing, and retrieving information. Basically database management involves the functions of data storage and retrieval. In some occasions data stored in a database may be edited and manipulated according to the requirements. MS-Access is a perfect tool to do all these kinds of functions.

Advantages of MS-Access
MS-Access has very easy operating procedure compared to other database management tools that are available. Also this is fairly cheaper and can be installed in most of the computers. Another advantage is, it provides excellent graphical user interface (GUI) whereas most database management tools provide console operating interface (CUI). This feature creates excellent User-friendly environment. Table creation for database management is easily done here. That is direct interaction with tables created and editing are possible. Table creation is done directly by typing its name, property, etc., this leads to easy operation whereas other have complex syntaxes for creating these. There is no need for the user to have high programming knowledge for using MS-Access. So, users with basic computer knowledge can use it.

Special Features of MS-Access
Table creation is simply done by design or wizard options. Data entered and stored in MS-Access can easily be exported or pasted into spreadsheets or statistical software for further analysis. As part of the MS Office Suite, MS Access integrates seamlessly with MS Word and Excel. Any data stored in MS-Access can be easily used throughout the MS-Office applications. For example, Names and addresses that are stored in an access database can be imported and used in MS-Word directly.

The real advantage of MS-Access is its relational ability that allows users to join tables, using fields common to both, thereby allowing users to extract data from one table that relates to data in another. Data from separate tables can easily be joined to produce a new file for further analysis. Next Function named "Forms" provides means to develop data entry interface for users. The "Report Writer" function in MS-Access is one of the best available. The stored data can be given in a wonderful format to take print or any other purpose. Another aspect of insuring valid data is making sure that there is no data duplication. The development environment that MS Access provides supports rapid application development.

In general users with little programming knowledge can use MS Access effectively. There are useful menus like "File, Edit etc., to provide users a very effective usage of good database management. There is no console window, no complex Syntaxes, and no complex queries for Ms-Access. These are common characteristics of most of the database management tools. So MS-Access is a very effective database management tool without any normally occurring distractions of a common database management tool. As this comes with MS-Office, this is readily compatible all the day to day office needs. Functions like data input, storage, and retrieval can be easily and effectively done.
Hence we can say that MS-Access is a reliable and very effective database management tool of MS-Office package.