Differences between forms, reports, and data access pages
Each Microsoft Access database object is designed for a particular purpose. In the following table, Yes identifies the objects that are best at performing a particular task, Possible identifies objects that can perform the task, though less optimally, and No identifies objects that don't perform the task at all.
| Task/Purpose | Form | Report | Data access page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enter, edit, and interact with data within a Microsoft Access database or Microsoft Access project | Yes | No | Yes |
| Enter, edit, and interact with live data via the Internet or an intranet outside an Access database or Access project; users must have Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 with Service Pack 2 (SP2) or later | No | No | Yes |
| Print data for distribution | Possible | Yes | Possible |
| Distribute data by e-mail | No | No | Yes (live or static data) |
Data access pages have the following advantages over printed reports:
- Pages bound to data display current data because they are connected to a database.
- Pages are interactive. Users can filter, sort, and view just the records that they want.
- Pages can be distributed electronically by using e-mail. Recipients will see current data each time they open the message.