A Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) forum. OfficeFrustration

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » OfficeFrustration forum » Microsoft Access » Database Design
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read  

System for Analyzing a database



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old May 5th, 2010, 01:46 AM posted to microsoft.public.access.tablesdbdesign
TGalin
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 11
Default System for Analyzing a database

I am working with an access database that I did not create and I am looking
for pointers that will help me analyze and understand what is happening with
the data as it is being transferred between tables. More specifically, I
need to figure out what the database queries are filtering and manipulating
as they transport the data to its final table output. I know exploring the
queries in design view will help, but choosing where to start seems confusing
and I am seeking, if possible, a more step by step/sequential approach to the
undertaking. Do you have any suggested approaches or strategies that might
help me accomplish this task more effectively?
  #2  
Old May 5th, 2010, 05:53 AM posted to microsoft.public.access.tablesdbdesign
Rick Gould
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2
Default System for Analyzing a database

There are a few things you can do. The best one for me is to find an easy to
talk to user who uses this database. Spend 15 to 30 minutes with them
watching them use the database. Ask them which screen and reports they use.
From their I create a quick drawing document showing the screens and the data
they use, specifically the queries and tables.

Most databases I inherit have numerous queries that are not used anymore,
and, do not even reflect the current linking structure of the database. I
never rely on the queries by themselves to tell me what is going on in a
database - start from what is "really" happening.

If I don't have ready access to a user then I look through the forms to find
what I consider is the main one and go from there, again following into
subforms, queries and tables.


"TGalin" wrote:

I am working with an access database that I did not create and I am looking
for pointers that will help me analyze and understand what is happening with
the data as it is being transferred between tables. More specifically, I
need to figure out what the database queries are filtering and manipulating
as they transport the data to its final table output. I know exploring the
queries in design view will help, but choosing where to start seems confusing
and I am seeking, if possible, a more step by step/sequential approach to the
undertaking. Do you have any suggested approaches or strategies that might
help me accomplish this task more effectively?

  #3  
Old May 5th, 2010, 12:42 PM posted to microsoft.public.access.tablesdbdesign
Maarkr
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 240
Default System for Analyzing a database

you could try to enable Autocorrect, then in Dtabase Tools, select object
dependencies. Similarly, in the database window (A2007), under all access
objects you can select Tables and related Views.


"TGalin" wrote:

I am working with an access database that I did not create and I am looking
for pointers that will help me analyze and understand what is happening with
the data as it is being transferred between tables. More specifically, I
need to figure out what the database queries are filtering and manipulating
as they transport the data to its final table output. I know exploring the
queries in design view will help, but choosing where to start seems confusing
and I am seeking, if possible, a more step by step/sequential approach to the
undertaking. Do you have any suggested approaches or strategies that might
help me accomplish this task more effectively?

  #4  
Old May 5th, 2010, 01:34 PM posted to microsoft.public.access.tablesdbdesign
BruceM via AccessMonster.com
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 448
Default System for Analyzing a database

Name Autocorrect has some issues:
http://allenbrowne.com/bug-03.html

Here is an add-in that may help, although it is not yet compatible with
Access 2007, according to the web site:
http://www.accessmvp.com/JConrad/acc.../csdtools.html

Maarkr wrote:
you could try to enable Autocorrect, then in Dtabase Tools, select object
dependencies. Similarly, in the database window (A2007), under all access
objects you can select Tables and related Views.

I am working with an access database that I did not create and I am looking
for pointers that will help me analyze and understand what is happening with

[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
undertaking. Do you have any suggested approaches or strategies that might
help me accomplish this task more effectively?


--
Message posted via AccessMonster.com
http://www.accessmonster.com/Uwe/For...esign/201005/1

  #5  
Old May 5th, 2010, 03:13 PM posted to microsoft.public.access.tablesdbdesign
Kathy R.[_3_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 25
Default System for Analyzing a database

If you're using Access 2007 there is an easy-to-use "Object
Dependencies" menu item. Look on the "Database Tools" tab, about three
columns from the left. When you click on it a window pops open on the
right hand side that shows "Objects that depend on me" and "Objects that
I depend on." Also notice the "Refresh button."

Two other things to check are 1) the "Relationships" window and, 2) the
"Record Source" of your forms and reports. Often they aren't based on
queries, but rather have their own SQL statements stored with the
form/report themselves.

Kathy R.



TGalin wrote:
I am working with an access database that I did not create and I am looking
for pointers that will help me analyze and understand what is happening with
the data as it is being transferred between tables. More specifically, I
need to figure out what the database queries are filtering and manipulating
as they transport the data to its final table output. I know exploring the
queries in design view will help, but choosing where to start seems confusing
and I am seeking, if possible, a more step by step/sequential approach to the
undertaking. Do you have any suggested approaches or strategies that might
help me accomplish this task more effectively?

 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:12 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 OfficeFrustration.
The comments are property of their posters.