Access 2007 training - what's new for Access 2007

Access 2007 is vastly improved over 2003. Changes range from the small but enjoyable (you can have alternative colours for table rows) to the significant (form design is radically easier). Worth the upgrade!. Specific changes include:

Change	Details
Report design easier	The toolbar (ribbon, now) for designing reports is now much more useful - not just a repeat of the form design toolbar.
Database and table templates	When creating a database, you can choose from a number of standard templates - great for novice users, but maybe not so for experienced ones.
Different look and feel	Access 2007 looks totally different - helped by the ribbon (which Wise Owl are quickly growing to like).
Updated database window	There are more ways to look at tables, queries, etc - in this diagram, we are looking at all of the tables, queries, forms and reports based on the CLIENTS table.
Attachment fields	You can now attach a file to every record in a database!
Multivalue fields	Probably the best single innovation - if someone belongs to several departments, just tick the boxes - no need to create an intermediate table to cope with the many-to-many join!
Split forms	You can now create split forms - with a form view at the top and datasheet view at the bottom.
Updated sorting and filtering	The options for filtering data to show only certain records have been made easier to use.
Layout view	In addition to form view and design view, there is a new layout view which allows you to make design changes to a form while viewing data.
Date calendars	If you add a field for entering a date, a calendar will automatically appear next to it.
Rich text format	When entering text in a memo field, you can make it either plain text or rich text.
Report grouping and sorting	A new group, sort and total pane for reports makes sorting and grouping easier.

You can view a full list of changes in recent versions of Microsoft Access by returning to our main Microsoft Access version history page.