Creating an Access Project

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You can create an Access project to work with an existing SQL Server 6.5 or 7.0 database, or you can run the Microsoft SQL Server Database Wizard to create a new, empty SQL Server database and then use Access visual design tools to create database objects. You can also use the Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE) running locally to create and run databases that are compatible with SQL Server. For information about using MSDE, see "Using Microsoft Data Engine" later in this chapter.

To create an Access project file to work with an existing SQL Server database, on the File menu, click New, and then double-click Project (Existing Database). On the Connection tab of the Data Link Properties dialog box, specify the server's name, logon information, and the database to open, and then click OK. Access will create a new project file connected to the database and display its objects in the Database window.

To create a new SQL Server database by using the Microsoft SQL Server Database Wizard, on the File menu, click New, and then double-click Project (New Database). Follow the directions in the wizard to specify the server that will create the database and other settings required to create a new database. When you click Finish, Access will create a new project file connected to the database and display an empty Database window. Use Access database design tools to create your database tables, views, and stored procedures.

****Important   ****You can only use an Access project file to connect to existing databases or create new databases on Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 (with Service Pack 5), Microsoft SQL Server 7.0, or Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE). MSDE can be installed from the Microsoft Office 2000 CD-ROM. For more information about using MSDE, see "Using Microsoft Data Engine" later in this chapter.