Microsoft Access Help

Using a Spreadsheet as Database: Your database should not be a single table of all sorts of data. Use the guideline of one subject per table. Spreadsheets often consist of multiple tables.

Excessive Data: The goal of a database is to provide the information necessary for reporting. Too many fields will increase input time and often create tables of unnecessary data. Proper planning can help identify what is necessary and what is unnecessary.

Incorrect Field Design: Fields containing too much data lead to problems in searching and expressions. If a first name and last name are combined in the same field, your ability to work with the data is limited. Individual pieces of data should be individual fields.

Missing Primary Keys: Every table needs a primary key to identify individual records. Make sure there is a unique key for each record in each table.

Missing relations: If two tables are used for the same query, report or form, there must be a field that relates them.

Not enforcing referential integrity: Data records that are part of a relationship need to be protected to ensure no changes are allowed which can corrupt your database.