Microsoft Access

Relational Database Management System for WindowsTM

Welcome to the visual world of the Microsoft Access database management system.
It's the database that makes it easy to use powerful features, gives you the
ability to work with data in virtually any database format, and provides
extraordinary help in learning and use. It's the database that's hardworking
without the hard work.


Overview

There's no question that sophisticated database management systems have 
empowered today's organization. 

But the larger issue is how to empower people-developers and interactive users
-so they can get at data and work with it more readily. Especially when the 
data resides in different database formats.

We offer you Microsoft Access, the database management system (DBMS) for 
the Windows operating system. Whether you're a longtime developer or a DBMS 
newcomer, you'll find our tools to be as usable as they are powerful.

Graphical query by example lets you access data more intuitively. You
can automate routine tasks with macros. Use FormWizards and ReportWizards to 
create effective forms and reports-with pictures, graphs, and sound-without 
being a programmer. And feel like you have a database tutor on call with 
Cue Cards. 

You can even access data from other databases-such as dBASE, Paradox, and
Btrieve-without having to import it. 

What ties Microsoft Access together is Access Basic: a powerful language 
with high-speed compiling, a full suite of debugging tools, and a handy
online language reference.

Get in front of a PC running Microsoft Access soon. And see a DBMS built on
a radical, yet practical, idea: hardworking without the hard work.


Highlights

Your data has never been more accessible

-Get your data quickly using graphical query by example (QBE). With a mouse,
 just drag and drop tables, join fields, and specify criteria. That's it. 
 Or, type in the SQL (Structured Query Language) command directly.

-Build forms easily in a matter of minutes using visual form-generation
 tools. Again, simply drag and drop the fields, then specify fonts and 
 colors. And with filters, you can sort and limit data while using your 
 form-no temporary tables are necessary.

-Turn data into impressive reports with a banded two-pass report writer.
 Complex operations, such as computing percentages of a total, are a snap:
 Simply write the appropriate expressions.


Get down to business right away

-Quickly access database tools with the dynamic toolbar. It changes 
 functions to fit the task at hand, whether you're creating a report or 
 editing code. The right tools are always a mouse click or two away.

-Turn hours of database work into minutes with ReportWizards and 
 FormWizards. Each one asks you questions about format, content, and 
 style, and then automatically creates your report or form.

-Learn while you work using Cue Cards. They provide step-by-step help 
 on-screen alongside the database task you're working on. No more canned 
 tutorials portraying someone else's widgets.

-Automate routine database management tasks easily using macros, such as
 printing out a series of monthly reports. They provide an easy fill-in-
 the-blank programming model for those who don't want to immerse themselves
 in Access Basic code.


The DBMS that works with your data

-Protect your database investment with Microsoft Access. It reads and 
 writes data directly in dBASE III PLUS and dBASE IV, Paradox 3.0 
 and 3.5, and Btrieve formats. You can even join tables across multiple 
 formats. 

-Migrate to Microsoft Access at your own pace-without abandoning current
 systems. It defaults to the locking mechanism of other formats. Direct 
 linking works in single- and multiuser modes alike.

-Create and edit richer, more informative databases easily using object
 linking and embedding (OLE). Include exciting, new elements such as 
 product pictures, sound, even full-motion video.

-Microsoft Access fills several DBMS needs with its versatile architecture. 
	-Use it as a stand-alone database, in a file-server configuration, 
	 or as a front-end client for Microsoft SQL Server. 
	-More database drivers are coming in future versions, thanks to 
         Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) technology, which will allow you
         to access data from even more database management systems.


A programming environment with a serious work ethic

-Write sophisticated database applications using Access Basic code (ABC),
 a powerful, extensible, structured programming language.

-Program and troubleshoot easily with the Microsoft Access integrated 
 development environment (IDE). It includes a full set of debugging tools
 to let you: 
	-Set breakpoints.
	-Single-step through procedures and user-defined functions.
	-Examine variables in the debugging window. 

-Find answers fast with the online context-sensitive language reference.

-Develop and distribute unlimited run-time applications for stand-alone
 systems royalty-free with the Microsoft Access Runtime Kit (available 
 in 1993).


Just what you'd expect from a database called Microsoft Access: accessible 
support

-Answers for your questions, from the basics to complex technical questions,
 including phone support 12 hours a day, five days a week at no charge via
 a toll line, along with additional support services for developers-to 
 assure you'll be up and productive in the least time possible.


Performance Features

Easy access to powerful features

-Leverage the graphical power and ease of the Microsoft Windows operating
 system's intuitive user interface. 

-Graphical query by example: 
	-Create queries visually, whether simple or complex. 
	-View data from tables, analyze it, change it. 
	-Combine data easily from several tables-even heterogeneous sources.
         SQL interface also available. 

-Visual form-generation tools: 
	-"Paint" forms with list boxes, option groups, buttons, and more.
	-"Drag and drop" elements like fields into forms.
	-Display titles and other consistent information using headers and 
         footers. 

-Banded report writer:
	-Report and page headers and footers.
	-Up to 10 levels of sorting or aggregation.
	-Two-pass reporting, for calculating percentages of totals or
         placing grand totals anywhere in report.
	-Complex formatting such as multiple columns.
	-Presentation-quality output.


Easy access to powerful tools

-A dynamic toolbar changes functions and icons as appropriate to the task. 

-ReportWizards and FormWizards:
	-Create professional reports and forms, from the simple to the
         complex, including one-to-many forms, charts, and mailing labels. 
	
        -Prompts for format, content, and style, then creates forms and 
         reports.

-Cue Cards:
	-Work with your data while learning Microsoft Access.
	-Step-by-step guidance with numerous examples.

-Macros help you automate routine DBMS tasks without programming. Just
 fill in the blanks.


Connectivity and data access for multiple users regardless of format 
or location

-Read and write to foreign indexed sequential access method (ISAM) 
 data including dBASE III PLUS and dBASE IV, Paradox 3.0 and 3.5, and
 Btrieve formats. 
	-Join tables regardless of formats.
	-Set default to each format's locking mechanism.

-Versatile architecture:
	-As a stand-alone database.
	-In a file-server configuration.
	-As a front-end client to a database server with direct 
         links to Microsoft SQL Server.

-Import and export data from other popular formats including:
	-Microsoft FoxPro
	-Microsoft Excel
	-Lotus 1-2-3
	-ASCII (fixed-length and delimited) 

-Object linking and embedding:
	-Insert into databases fully editable bitmapped images, 
         sounds, documents, and other binary objects created by 
         OLE servers. 


A robust desktop database engine

-Referential integrity:
	-System relationships defined at the engine level prevent
         inconsistent updates or deletes. 

-Updatable views:
	-Microsoft Access select queries result in fully updatable 
         views of source data called dynasets. 

-Data integrity: 
	-Define default values, validation rules, and formats when
         creating tables; carried over to forms and reports
         automatically.

-Full null support 

-Programmatic support of transactions:
	-Access Basic supports BeginTrans, Commit, and Rollback to 
         help ensure transaction integrity.

-User-level security:
	-Assign users and groups different permissions to view and
         modify various database objects.
	-Create views using restrictive parameters.


A serious development environment with a full-featured programming
language

-Access Basic:
	-Event-driven programming model.
	-Access Basic code (ABC), a powerful, extensible, structured
         programming language.

-Integrated Development Environment:
	-Multiple windows for code editing and debugging. 
	-Automatic syntax checking.
	-Breakpoints and single-step execution accessible from the
         toolbar.

-Fast compiler technology:
	-Virtually instantaneous compilation.
	-Change code while it's being debugged thanks to incremental
         compilation. 

-Extensibility:
	-Call routines in any dynamic-link library for the Microsoft 
         Windows operating system.

-Online context-sensitive Help includes:
	-Pop-up definitions.
	-Secondary windows with extensive code examples. 
	-A complete online language reference to Microsoft Access Basic.


Specifications

To run Microsoft Access, you need:

-Microsoft Windows graphical environment version 3.0 or later 
 (available separately)

-Personal computer using an 80386SX or higher microprocessor

-2 MB of memory (4 MB recommended)

-8 MB of free hard disk space required (14 MB recommended)

-EGA or higher resolution

-Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device


Networks Supported

-Microsoft LAN Manager or other Windows-compatible networks, including 
 Novell NetWare and Banyan VINES

Database Drivers Included

-Btrieve, dBASE III PLUS and dBASE IV, Microsoft SQL Server, 
 Paradox 3.0 and 3.5 (other database drivers available in 1993)

-Import/export filters: Lotus 1-2-3 2.X, 3.X, for Windows; Microsoft 
 Excel; Microsoft FoxPro; and ASCII-Delimited and ASCII-Fixed Length, 
 plus the above formats.


Features List

-Data Access Tools
	-Direct Access to Multiple Data Formats
	-Single-user, File Server, and Client/server Configuration
	-Data Importing and Exporting
	-Heterogeneous Joins

-Data Manipulation Tools
	-Banded Report Writer
	-Embedded Reports
	-Filters
	-Graphical Query By Example
	-SQL Query Interface
	-Two-pass Reporting
	-Embedded Forms

-Development Tools
	-Access Basic
	-Code Editor
	-Integrated Development Environment, with:
		-Breakpoints
		-Debugging Tools
		-Single-step Execution
		-Syntax Checking

-Database Engine
	-Data Types Supported:
		-Text (variable length)
		-Memo
		-Number (byte, single, double, short, long)
		-Currency
		-Date/Time
		-Counter
		-True/False
		-OLE Objects
	-Referential Integrity
	-User-level Security
	-Null Support
	-Transaction Support

-Learning and Productivity Tools
	-Context-sensitive Help
	-Cue Cards
	-Drag and Drop
	-Dynamic Toolbars
	-FormWizards and ReportWizards
	-GraphWizards (includes Microsoft Graph)
	-Macros

-Capacities
	-Number of tables in a database: 32,768
	-Number of simultaneous open tables: 254
	-Number of fields per record: 255
	-Size of a single table: 128 MB
	-Size of an attached, nonnative table: Limited only by file format
	-Number of tables in a single query: 16
	-Levels of nested queries: 30
	-Number of embedded forms or reports in a form or report: Unlimited
	-Number of printed pages in a report: 65,536


Accessible support for Microsoft Access

-Phone support at no extra charge via a toll call, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
 (Pacific time), Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. 

-FastTips (interactive voice response) answers to common questions
 24 hours a day.

-CompuServe and bulletin board system (BBS) support.

-Developer and corporate support programs information available by
 calling Microsoft Sales at (800) 227-4679, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
 (Pacific time), Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.



1992 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed in the 
United States of America. 
	
This data sheet is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES

NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. 

Companies, names, and data used in sample output are fictitious.

Microsoft and Microsoft FoxPro are registered trademarks and 
Microsoft Access, Windows, and the Windows logo are trademarks of 
Microsoft Corporation. 

Banyan and VINES are registered trademarks of Banyan Systems, Inc. 
dBASE, dBASE III PLUS, dBASE IV, and Paradox are registered trademarks 
of Borland International. CompuServe is a registered trademark of 
CompuServe, Inc. Lotus and 1-2-3 are registered trademarks of Lotus 
Development Corporation. Btrieve, NetWare, and Novell are registered
trademarks of Novell, Inc. 

Microsoft Corporation - One Microsoft Way - Redmond, WA 98052-6399








