This article covers the basic process of starting Access and creating a database that will be used on desktop machines, not over the Web. It explains how to create a desktop database by using a template, and how to build a database from scratch by creating your own tables, forms, reports, and other database objects. It also explains some techniques that you can use to get existing data into your new database.
Overview
When you first start Access, or if you close a database without closing Access, Microsoft Office Backstage view is displayed.
Backstage view is a starting point from which you can create a new database, open an existing database, view featured content from Office.com — anything you can use Access to do to a database file or outside of a database, as opposed to within a database.
Creating a database
When you open Access, Backstage view displays the New tab. The New tab provides several ways that you can create a new database:
A blank database You can start from scratch if you want. This is a good option if you have very specific design requirements or have existing data that you need to accommodate or incorporate.
A template that is installed with Access Consider using a template if you are starting a new project and would like a head start. Access comes with several templates installed by default.
A template from Office.com In addition to the templates that come with Access, you can find many more templates on Office.com. You don't even have to open a browser, the templates are available from the New tab.
Adding to a database
Once you are working in a database, you can add fields, tables or application parts.
Application parts are a feature that let you use several related database objects together as if they were one. For example, an application part might consist of a table and a form that is based on the table. You can add the table and the form at the same time by using the application part.
You can also create queries, forms, reports, macros - all the database objects that you are used to working with.