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I have never used Access before 1 week ago. Due to a change in my job, I
will need to start using Access to a small degree periodically. I was able
to stumble through and import two Excel files into tables, link them through
one field (SS#) and export data from both Excel files to one Excel file for
each individual. However, it involved much trial and error. I would like to
become more proficient in Access. This forum looks like it will be a great
resource. Besides this, does anyone recommend any particular web or CD based
training? One person recommended lynda.com to me and another totaltraining.
Is there a clear consensus on the best place to go learn Access?
 
I have never used Access before 1 week ago. Due to a change in my job, I
will need to start using Access to a small degree periodically. I was able
to stumble through and import two Excel files into tables, link them through
one field (SS#) and export data from both Excel files to one Excel file for
each individual. However, it involved much trial and error. I would like to
become more proficient in Access. This forum looks like it will be a great
resource. Besides this, does anyone recommend any particular web or CD based
training? One person recommended lynda.com to me and another totaltraining.
Is there a clear consensus on the best place to go learn Access?
Click to expand...

There are lots of resources on the web. Two good places to start:

Jeff Conrad's resources page:
http://www.accessmvp.com/JConrad/accessjunkie/resources.html

The Access Web resources page:
http://www.mvps.org/access/resources/index.html

John W. Vinson [MVP]
 
Hi Darin,

You have lots of resources at your disposal to learn about Access. As John already pointed out, I
would start by looking at my Resources page here:
http://www.accessmvp.com/JConrad/accessjunkie/resources.html

You'll find links to hundreds of free resources concerning Access. Start there and see if you can
find all the information you need. There's no clear consensus on what is "best" because everyone
learns differently.

These forums are great for helping you learn about Access, but they're best geared towards asking
specific questions and much less towards very vague, open-ended questions. I personally learned a
great deal of my knowledge about Access right here in these groups. Don't forget to search these
groups because chances are, someone else has had the same issue as well.

Here are some other possible avenues of training besides looking at the links I mentioned:

1. See if there are any local Access user groups in your area and if there are, attend the meetings
and try to ask questions whenever possible.

2. You might check to see if your employer will pay for some in-class Access training courses. These
could be at a local college or a specific training service.

3. Access books are always a good resource. If you want to go this route, go down to your local
bookstore and spend some time thumbing through the various titles. Remember to try and match the
version to what you're using because there are differences. There are a broad range of styles,
topics, and knowledge levels so grab what seems "best for you" and feels right.

4. You mentioned CD/DVD training. I haven't heard of lynda.com, but I do know about Total Training.
I have a new Access training series on the latest Access version that was just released so yes, I am
a little biased there. (You did bring up the subject <g>.) If you want to go this route make sure
you look around with different companies (just like with the books) and see what feels right. Most
of these companies have samples you can look at before buying. Total Training, for instance has a
two day free online trial (http://www.totaltraining.com/online/howitworks.asp).

5. You might also consider hiring a personal tutor to do some one-on-one training.

Good luck and have fun with Access!

--
Jeff Conrad - Access Junkie - MVP Alumni
SDET - XAS Services - Microsoft Corporation

Co-author - Microsoft Office Access 2007 Inside Out
Presenter - Microsoft Access 2007 Essentials
http://www.accessmvp.com/JConrad/accessjunkie.html
Access 2007 Info: http://www.AccessJunkie.com
 
Jeff and Allen,

My thanks to you both. I'll take advantage of all of these resources. I
want to become somewhat proficient with Access but most of what I do will be
relatively easy compared to what the system is capable of. I just need some
basic training to see how to navigate within the program and it looks like I
have some good choices here. Once I start using it, I'm sure I'll have more
specific questions and I expect that this forum will be the perfect venue for
answering detailed questions. First, I just need to learn the basics. I
don't even know what questions to ask right now except "where do I start" and
you guys have given some great ideas there.

Darin
 
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