First, you need to know what data from the teble you need to display on the
grapsh.
Once you have the idea, you need to make a simple select query, which
combines the data from the tables.
Open the database main window. On the left pane, called Objects, is a
button, named Queries. Click it. Now you are in the queries window.
The next step is to build the query. Since you have only two tables, you do
not need to use a wizard. Just double-click the Create Query in design view
button.
Then you will see a window, named Show Table. Select the first table. and
click Add. Then do the same thing with the second table. Both thables appear
in the upper pane. This is called "Query by example".
So, select the first field from the first table and drag it to the lower
pane, in the row called Field. Now the name of the field and the table are
displayed. Select the second field from the table... Once you have dragged
all necessary fields from the first table, do so with the second one.
When you finish with this, click the Save button and give the query a name.
Then test it to see if your result is proper and satisfies your needs.
The next step is to build the graph. Since Access and Excel are MS
Applications, you do not need to make the graph in Excel, then display it in
Access. The principle is just the same. You can make grpaps in PowerPoint
too.
Here is something little different - tha graph will be displayd on Form or
Report, depending on your need.
Let's make it on a form.
Click the database window again. On the Objects tab, select Form.
Double-click Create Form in Design View.
Now you have your blank form.
If the toolbox is not on the screen, click its button on the toolbar - it
looks like tools. Then select the Insert Chart button from the toolbox, and
drag a square on your form. The size is not important, you can always resize
it.
Now you will see a Chart wizard. Select the query you have created and saved
(In the View option group, select Queries). Then click Next.
You will see the next step of the wizard. You will have to select which
fields will be used to buildthe chart. Select the first field from the
Available Fields box, and press >. Do so with all fields you will need.
Since you have build a special query, designed for that chart, you can click
the >> button. All field are moved from Available field to Fields for Chart.
Click Next.
On the next window you will select the chart type. Once you are ready, click
Next.
You will see the next step. There is a sample chart on the left, and the
field from the query on the right.
Drag the fields from the right to the boxes on the left. There are Data,
Series and Axis boxes.
When you drag a field to the data box, it will display for example
SumOfSales. If you do not need Sum, double-click the button, and on the
Summarize window click None. Then OK.
Click Next. You will be asked for the name of the chart - type a name or
accept the name given. Then click Finish.
Now you will see strange chart, showing North, West... and so on. You will
need to click the View button, to switch from design view, and your graph to
have its data. If you need to resize and fine-tune the graph, click again
the button, and you will go in Design View.
