Maybe you got Access as part of Microsoft Office and wonder what it can do for you and your household; maybe you're a small business manager and don't have a techie on staff to train the office in Microsoft Access. Regardless, you want to quickly get your feet wet--but not get in over your head--and Access 2003 for Starters: The Missing Manual is the book to make it happen.

Far more than a skimpy introduction but much less daunting than a weighty tech book, Access 2003 for Starters: The Missing Manual demystifies databases and explains how to design and create them with ease. It delivers everything you need--and nothing you don't--to use Access right away. It's your expert guide to the Access features that are most vital and most useful, and it's your trusted advisor on the more in-depth features that are best saved for developers and programmers.

Access is sophisticated and powerful enough for professional developers but easy and practical enough for everyday users like you. This Missing Manual explains all the major features of Access 2003, including designing and creating databases, organizing and filtering information, and generating effective forms and reports.

Bestselling authors, database designers, and programmers Scott Palmer, Ph.D., and Kate Chase are your guides for putting the world's most popular desktop data management program to work. Their clear explanations, step-by-step instructions, plenty of illustrations, and timesaving advice help you get up to speed quickly and painlessly.

Whether you're just starting out or you know you've been avoiding aspects of the program and missing out on much of what it can do, this friendly, witty book will gently immerse you in Microsoft Access. Keep it handy, as you'll undoubtedly refer to it again and again.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 5 Ratings

Wow - exactly what it says! - 2006-04-06
Reviewer Rating:
I own a Network Consulting firm which handles IT for Small to Medium businesses. That said, I know zilch about Microsoft Access. Recently a client asked I provide them with a simple inventory managment database. While I actually set them up with an out of box solution, I figured I should learn Access to possibly do our own development.

This book is really fantastic. I own plenty of tech books; some good, and some not so good. I rated this book high for the two things it does really well:

1. It shows you a nice view of what you *can* do in terms of options at each stage of building/working with a database, and explains them.

2. It applies the information with easy to follow, yet not stupidly simple projects.

I went through 130 pages today alone and if the wife wasn't bugging me to death, would probably knock out a chapter or two more before bed.

Great book. The title explains it all.

Great Way To Learn Access - 2005-12-30
Reviewer Rating:
The Pogue Press line does it again!! When I looked down at the retail price for this book I couldn't believe my eyes. If you are new to Microsoft Access and want to ramp up quickly on how to use this exciting application, you would be hard-pressed to find a better bargain to get up to speed in no time.

I usually write longer reviews, but for the price that this book is listed at, this would inefficient and a waste of time. If you want to learn how to use Access 2003, stop reading and pick up this book today!!

***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Not what I had expected - 2007-12-05
Reviewer Rating:
This book leaves alot to be desired. Cover to cover, It seemed way too brief. I felt like I was being coached through a few topics that could be figured out by just playing around with the program. Im confused as to why the authors felt it necessary to sacrifice so many trees in order to offer a step by step walk-through of how to use the program's various wizard modes. It seems to me that anyone could open up access and walk themselves through the wizard without reading any of this book. The other 25%-35% of the book that does cover the design view is way to0 brief to be of any use. You barely get a taste of what's out there. Basically you feel like your still.... searching for the "Missing" information.

Not Enough Information - 2008-07-02
Reviewer Rating:
It's clearly written and is clearly aimed at the novice. I'd advise people to see how much they can learn from the program help rather than spend the money on this one. You'll probably need a book but you'll need one that's more comprehensive.

In spite of its actual length, the book seems like it's 20 pages long. It's a friendly, very basic, intro to Access. Unfortunately it's going to leave a lot of beginners hanging when they encounter the myriad real world situations the book doesn't cover. I would not advise buying this book without a reference manual to go with it. Example: I wanted to know the syntax for quoting character strings in comparisons. Nothing. In fact all of the comparison and selection by value examples in the book use numbers or dates.

VERY WORTHWHILE - 2006-08-03
Reviewer Rating:
If you are new to Access and want to learn how to do things, this book is very helpful. If you are an experienced user and want to become an expert, this book may not have everything you need. We use this manual in conjunction with the Video Professor and between the two, we are now very comfortable with Access.

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