I am new to MS Access and I was told by many that Access would be the program to use for keeping a strong database. I want to create a database where I can enter in each client and there personal information (ex: name, address, phone number, etc), and also create a file that is affiliated with each client that stores the questions & answers to the survey they each received after using our services.
Is something like this possible with MS Access?
Each client will have there own account number that can be accessed at anytime using that specific account number. The survey that each client receives has about 15 questions with 5 options to choose for an answer (ex: Strongly agree, Strongly disagree, etc). I want to be able to create this Survey file so when I receive the survey from my clients I can enter in there answers and save it according to each clients account number. The survey will be the same for all clients, but the answers will be different of course, so I want to create the survey file so all I have to do is go into the file, enter in the answers the client chose and save it according to the clients account number.
Is all this possible with MS Access or should I be using some other program?
Please help out as much as you can, I have limited time and limited resources, If I need to invest in MS Access I need to put in the request ASAP for the funding. This database will be very helpful when helping out families with children who have a disability.
I look forward to your help and advice, Thanks.
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Access can do that but if funds are limited use OpenOffice base instead, http://www.openoffice.org
How you store the data would be upto you but I would suggest several tables, one for the customer details, one for each possible question with the answers, and then a 3rd that contains the list of responces which links to the other two.
There are numerous open source database software available free of charge that can do what you want, so Access is not your only option.
You will need to know the SQL language, Normal Forms, and the basic concepts of Relational Database Management System design. Without some knowledge of all of those items, you will be completely lost. Luckily for you, there are many free tutorials on such topics. Just google what you wish to know.
This is exactly what Access was designed to do. You will have three tables. One table contains all the personal details, and includes a unique ID field identifying each person. A second table will have all the questions, and a unique identifier for each question. The third table will have three fields – person ID, question ID, and rating. You will then design a form based on your third table, which will pull person ID, question ID from the other two tables. It will also assign a rating to each question. It will use combo boxes (drop-down lists) to do this.
There is a lot to learn here, you need to run a basic course in Access, or buy a book like “Access for dummies”.