Looking for Good Beginner Access Guides

[DataChick]

I'm leaving my current position and going to a new job. The problem is that there is nobody here who knows anything about Access and they need to be able to do things like Importing/Linking tables (from Excel and other Access databases), create queries (including creating formulas using the expression builder) and Export information back to Excel.

I have been working with my manager to try and get him to the point of doing these few tasks on his own but I would like to find a good web reference (preferably free) that walks through or talks about these steps that I can leave for them.

I have found a good Beginner Training Guide on the web (for free) but it doesn't address importing or linking tables or the expression builder.

Does anyone have any ideas or know of any good reference sites? Something that they can link to and use like a reference book...not something where they have to search for an answer because they probably wouldn't know what to search for.

I just don't need any panic calls on my cell from my old manager at my new job! LOL



Thanks in advance for your help!!!

 

[psemianonymous]

The best web reference (with almost guaranteed results) is Google, or Google Groups searches. Unfortunately, when newbies try to search for something, they don't know exactly what they're searching for, so this doesn't work out so well.

If you want a general reference on 'how to do things', you should really just suggest they buy an Access book, which they can use as an actual reference. Really, it's worth the $50 or so.

If they need to be able to do specific things, then write thorough documentation on how to do each process, step by step. If they haven't given you time to do this sort of thing, well, too bad for them I suppose.


Also consider the possibility that you can offer to do some 'consulting work' with your (soon-to-be) ex employer, for pay. That will make them less likely to call you, but also will provide them with a good option if they really, really need you. I know some employers don't want to go through the hassle of budgeting for that sort of thing, but yours may. Consider it.


Pete

 

[thendrickson]

Data Chick,

Pete's advice is good but I would add 2 points.

1: Let your current company know that they should not call you during working hours. Be tactful, but very firm about this.

If they do call, get off the phone ASAP and call them back at lunch time or in the evening. I assume the cell phone displays the calling number. I would not answer it while working at the new employer (at least not until you know the little quirks of your new boss better) if it is them

Get your current managers home phone before leaving and be certain he/she (or whatever that is politcally correct these days) knows that if they call during working hours you will call him/her/? back when you finish work.

2: Let them have a rate for contract work when you leave.
Be reasonable and tactful, but be certain that they understand that your skill set is what they are paying for.
I am certain your current company wants paid for whatever they do and they need to know that you expect the same.

I was laid off almost a year ago for economic reasons (the company was in trouble). I had e-mails and phone calls from them for 6 months before I informed them that any more requests would be charged at $35/hr with a minimum of 1 hour.

That seems to have really upset some people there, so be careful not to burn bridges, but make certain they do not put your new position in jeapardy

 

[DataChick]

Thank you for your help and advice...I detailed out as much as I could (and suggested they buy a book or invest in a training course) and informted them that they could call but that I do have a consulting business on the side so any calls from them would be charged my usual rate.

As of yet, I have not received any calls (which is exactly how I like it)!!!

Thanks again for your advice. I just didn't want to get sucked into thendricksons position where they are calling me on my new job and at home for months and I'm not getting paid for it!

"The most likely way for the world to be destroyed, most experts agree, is by accident. That's where we come in; we're computer professionals. We cause accidents."
-Nathaniel Borenstein

 

[TomCologne]

Here is a free tutorial:

http://www.functionx.com/access/

The site should cover most issues.
You might want to warn your manager about possible upcoming higher printing costs, lots of jpegs ;=)

By the way, there are more tutorials for different topics, see list on the right.

TomCologne