Microsoft Access Overview

 

Microsoft Access is a Database Management System (DBMS) that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software development tools.

 

An Access database is not a file in the same sense as a Microsoft Word document or a Microsoft PowerPoint are.  Instead, an Access database is a collection of objects, tables, forms, reports, queries etc, that must work together for a database to function properly.

 

• It stores data in its own format based on the Access Jet Database Engine.

• Like relational databases, Microsoft Access also allows you to link related information easily.  For example, customer and order data.  However, Access also complements other database products because it has several powerful connectivity features.

• It can import or link directly to data stored in other applications and databases.

• Access can work directly with data from other sources, including many popular PC database programs, with many SQL (Structured Query Language) databases on the desktop, on servers, on minicomputers, or on mainframes, and with data stored on Internet or Intranet web servers.

• Access can also understand and use a wide variety of other data formats, including many other database file structures.

• You can export data to and import data from word processing files, spreadsheets or database files directly.

• Access can work with most popular databases that support the Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) standard, including SQL Server, Oracle, and DB2.

• Software developers can use Microsoft Access to develop application software.