Productivity Cheat Sheet 19 - MS Access 1

Microsoft Access is a very popular Windows programme for creating and maintaining databases. Available as part of Microsoft Office, and even separately, Access is programmable using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). It reads Paradox, dBase and Btrieve files and uses ODBC, Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase SQL Server and Oracle data. The Access database driver for online databases is often supported by web hosts using the NT hosting platform.

There is loads of information available on Access on the Web. A great starting point is a motherlode of links at http://allenbrowne.com/links.html. Those of you seeking dope on interesting Access-based solutions should point your to http://blog.datamanagementsolutions.biz/dms.html. And all of you can tip-toe in here for some general keyboard shortcuts.

OPENING, PRINTING AND SAVING
Ctrl + N: Opens new database
Ctrl + O: Opens existing database
Ctrl + P: Open prints dialog box
Ctrl + S or Shift + F12 or Alt + Shift + F2: Save database object
F12 or Alt + F2: Opens Save As dialog box

USING A COMBO BOX OR LIST BOX
F4 or Alt+Down Arrow: Opens combo box
F9: Refreshes contents of Lookup field, list or combo box
Down Arrow: Moves down one line
Pg Dn: Moves down one page
Up Arrow: Moves up one line
Pg Up: Moves up one page
Tab: Exits combo or list box

FINDING/REPLACING TEXT OR DATA
Ctrl + F: Opens Find tab in Find and Replace dialog box (Datasheet view and Form views)
Ctrl + H: Opens Replace tab in Find and Replace dialog box (Datasheet and Form views)
Shift + F4: Finds next occurrence of text specified in Find and Replace dialog box when dialog box is closed (Datasheet and Form views)

WORKING IN DESIGN VIEW
F2: Switches between Edit mode (with insertion point displayed) and Navigation mode
F4: Switches to property sheet (Design view in forms and reports in databases and Access projects)
F5: Switches to Form view from form Design view
F6: Switches between upper and lower portions of window (Design view of tables, macros, and queries and Advanced Filter/Sort window)
F7: Switches to Code Builder from form or report Design view (Design view window or property sheet)
Shift + F7: Switches from Visual Basic Editor to form or report Design view
Alt + V + P: Opens property sheet for selected object

WINDOW OPS
F11: Brings Database window to front
Ctrl + F6: Cycles between open windows
Enter: Restores selected minimised window when all windows are minimised
Ctrl + F8: Turns on Resize mode for active window when it’s not maximised; arrow keys resize window
Alt + Spacebar: Displays control menu
Shift + F10: Displays shortcut menu
Ctrl + W or Ctrl + F4: Closes active window
Alt + F11: Switches between Visual Basic Editor and previous active window
Alt + Shift + F11: Switches to Script Editor from previous active window

WORKING WITH WIZARDS
Tab: Moves to Help image button in wizard
Alt + N: Moves to next window in wizard
Alt + B: Moves to previous window in wizard
Alt + F: Closes wizard window

MISCELLANEOUS
F2: Displays complete hyperlink address for selected hyperlink
F7: Checks spelling
Shift + F2: Opens Zoom box to enter expressions/text in small input areas
Alt + Enter: Displays property sheet in Design view
Alt + F4: Quits Access, closes dialog box, or closes property sheet
Ctrl + F2: Invokes Builder
Ctrl + F11: Toggles between custom menu bar and built-in menu bar
Ctrl + Right Arrow or Crtl + , (Comma): Toggles forward between views when in table, query, form, report, page, view, PivotTable list, PivotChart report, stored procedure, or Access project function
Ctrl + Left Arrow or Crtl + . (Period): Toggles back between views as in above