ACC: Where to find information about designing a database in Access

If you decide to store the data for your solution in an Access database or in another relational database, designing the database structure is likely to be the most challenging part of building the solution. Although it is fairly easy to modify the data model while you are developing the solution, it is much more difficult once you have started to build other database objects. Therefore, you should put as much effort as possible into designing the data model before you begin to create any objects in the database. Developing a solution based on a well-designed data model will make it much easier for you to develop the solution.

If you are new to relational database design, start by using the following resources:

• For an overview of relational database design, see the following Knowledge Base article:
  100139  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/100139/ ) ACC: Database normalization basics
• View the Database Normalization Basics (http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=http%3a%2f%2fsupport.microsoft.com%2fservicedesks%2fwebcasts%2fwc060600%2fwcblurb060600.asp) WebCast.
• Download the "Understanding Relational Database Design" document. This document shows you how to plan and design a database from the ground up. To download this document, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
  164172  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/164172/ ) ACC: "Understanding relational database design" document available in Download Center
• Analyze your tables by using the Table Analyzer Wizard. For more information about the Table Analyzer Wizard, see the following Knowledge Base article:
  140636  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/140636/ ) ACC: How the Table Analyzer Wizard works
• Visit the Access Database Table Design (microsoft.public.access.tablesdbdesign) peer-to-peer newsgroup (http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=%2fnewsgroups%2f) . You can interact with other users of Access, including Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs). You can use any newsreader software to access these newsgroups.
• Read one of the following books:
  • Hernandez, Michael. Database Design for Mere Mortals. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Developers Press, 1997.
  • Riordan, Rebecca. Designing Relational Database Systems (http://www.microsoft.com/catalog/display.asp?title=3222&subid=22)