Kate J. Chase - Access 2003 for Starters: The Missing Manual

Like all Microsoft Office programs, Access is pretty simple to install. The hardest part may be typing that 25-digit Product Key number (and making sure you don't lose it in case you ever have to reinstall). If you have Microsoft Office 2003 on your computer, you probably already have Access 2003. To check, click Start menu All Programs Microsoft Office, and see if Access is on the submenu.

If you're upgrading or installing Office 2003, you're best off doing a full install or upgrade, which gives you a clean, fresh copy of all Office programs, auxiliary programs, and files. Nothing breaks up your workflow like getting an error message saying that Access needs you to install additional software.

To install all Office programs and components:

If you didn't install Access when you first installed Office, you can simply add it, as long as you have the CD and Product Key. Here's how to get Access onto your computer.

• When you're done customizing, click Next .

  The setup program installs Access. Click OK to close Setup and get back to work.

A.2. Access Help

In Access, help is never far away. Some forms of help show up unbidden, like the Tip of the Day that pops up every time you open the program, and the screen tips that appear when you point to a button or toolbar. In addition to the help that's right on the screen in front of you, help documents are stored on your computer, and Microsoft Office Online features an entire Web site full of resources.

In this appendix, you'll see how to visit the online support site, download Access templates, get advanced training through tutorials, and post questions for other people who use Access, including experts designated as Microsoft Most Valued Professionals (MVPs) because of their wealth of experience with products like Access.

A.2.1. Where to Look for Help

The best answer is usually the one you get first, so here (in order from quickest and simplest to most time-consuming and complex) are the ways you can summon Access's help system (see ).

A.2.1.1. Screen tips

The quickest way to get help on a feature is to point to it. A small, yellow screen tip identifies the toolbar or icon under your mouse pointer. Often, that's enough of a clue. If it's not, type the name of the feature in the menu bar search field or Office Assistant, as described next.

A.2.1.2. Menu bar

The box at the upper right of ), showing the list of related help documents on your computer (and on Microsoft's Web site, if you're connected to the Internet).

A.2.1.3. Office Assistant

So many people complained about "Clippy," the annoyingly helpful Office Assistant character, that Microsoft no longer has him appear automatically. You have to turn him on by choosing Help