Microsoft Office Access 2003 in a Snap (Sams Teach Yourself)

Rating:
Summary: Access for those in a hurry to learn it and do it
Review: With the relentless stress that the shrinking workforce faces trying to do more work, anything that makes things simpler is to be welcomed. These stresses have forced many workers to learn new things thoroughly and very quickly. All databases grow larger over time; in particular organizations that have traditionally relied on Excel spreadsheets to store data are finding it necessary to migrate the data to Access. This is only one example where workers experienced in using computers are required to learn Access quickly. That is the stated purpose of this book and the author lands within the winner's circle.
Each of the examples is illustrated with diagrams that provide clear pointers to the sequence of actions needed to perform the operation. The examples are as independent as possible, so one does not have to go through many pages of sequential steps in order to complete a basic task. I was impressed with the clarity of the diagrams, sometimes books like this contain images where the contrast is just not as good as it should be. Most of the basic operations are covered, although none is examined in any depth. The only assumptions are that you know how to start and migrate through an application.
If you are an experienced user of Access, then this book will be of no help to you. However, if you are inexperienced and need to know how to do the basic operations in a hurry, then it is just what you are looking for.