ECDL Module 5: Databases

5.1 Using the Application

Understand what a database is.

Understand how a database is organised in terms of tables, records and fields. Know about different data types and field properties.

Understand what a primary key is.

Understand what an index is.

Understand the importance of setting rules to ensure relationships between tables are valid.

Open (and close) a database application.

Open an existing database.

Create a new database.

Save a database onto the hard disk or a diskette.

Use Help functions.

Close the database.

Change between table, form and report viewing modes.

Display and hide built-in toolbars.

5.2 Tables

Create and save a table with fields and data types.

Add and delete records in table.

Add, modify and delete data in a record.

Use the Undo command.

Navigate within a table using Next, Previous, First, Last. Locate specific records.

Delete a table

Save and close a table.

Define a primary key

Index a field with or without duplicates allowed.

Change field attributes such as: field size, number format, date format.

Understand consequences of changing field size or other attributes in a table.

Create a simple validation rule for number, text, currency or date/time.

Change width of columns in a table.

Move a column within a table.

Create a one-to-one, one-to-many relationship between tables.

Delete relationships between tables.

Apply referential integrity to a relationship.

5.3 Forms

Open an existing form.

Create and save a form.

Use a form to add, edit and delete records.

Navigate using Next, Previous, First, Last.

Add and modify text in Headers and Footers.

Delete a form.

Save and close a form.

5.4 Retrieving Information

Use the Search command to search for a specific word, number or date in a field.

Apply and remove a filter to a table or form.

Create and save a single table query or a query based on two tables using specific search criteria.

Edit a query by adding or removing criteria. Edit a query by adding, removing or hiding fields.

Run a query.

Delete a query.

Save and close a query.

Sort data in a table, form or in query output in ascending or descending order.

5.5 Reports

Create and save a report based on a table or query.

Rearrange data fields and headings within a report layout.

Group data in a report. Total data in a grouped report using sub-totals etc.

Create and modify Headers and Footers in a report.

Delete a report.

Save and close a report.

5.6 Prepare outputs

Preview a table, form or report.

Change report orientation. Change paper size.

Print a page, selected records or the entire table.

Print the results of a query.

Print specific pages in a report or the complete report.