Create an Access database

Microsoft Office Access 2003

You can use a Database Wizard to create in one operation the required tables, forms, and reports for the type of database you choose— this is the easiest way to start creating your database. The wizard offers limited options to customize the database.

  1. Click New Button image on the toolbar.
  2. In the New File task pane, under Templates, click On my computer.
  3. On the Databases tab, click the icon for the kind of database you want to create, and then click OK.
  4. In the File New Database dialog box, specify a name and location for the database, and then click Create.
  5. Follow the instructions in the Database Wizard.

Note  You can't use the Database Wizard to add new tables, forms, or reports to an existing database.

ShowCreate a database by using a template

This is the quickest way to create a database. This method works best if you can find and use a template that very closely matches your requirements.

  1. Click New Button image on the toolbar.
  2. In the New File task pane, under Templates, either search for a specific template or click Templates home page to browse for a suitable template.
  3. Click on the template you want, and click Download.

ShowCreate a database without using a Database Wizard

You can create a blank database and then add the tables, forms, reports, and other objects later— this is the most flexible method, but it requires you to define each database element separately. Either way, you can modify and extend your database at any time after it has been created.

  1. Click New Button image on the toolbar.
  2. In the New File task pane, under New, click Blank Database.
  3. In the File New Database dialog box, specify a name and location for the database, and then click Create.

    The Database window appears, and you can create the objects that you want in your database.