Microsoft Access Tutorial - 5 Steps to Creating a Database Table

In this reading, I will assume you already have a database called "MyFirstAccessDB" which you should have created from a previous reading (Microsoft Access - 4 Steps to Creating a Database). If you don't have that database created, then you can follow along using any database you already have. If you don't know how to create a database, I would suggest reading "Microsoft Access - 4 Steps to Creating a Database".

After having created a blank database, we will next be putting data into our newly created Access database. Before we can do that, we need to first create what is called a table, which will store this data. The focus of this reading is how to create a table, and in a later reading you will learn how to add actual data into the new table you create here in your Microsoft Access database table.

Databases mainly consist of tables. Tables hold all the actual data that you will be using in your database. You will now create your first table in the newly created Access database.

1. Open the Database

If you open up the new Microsoft Access database file that you have created or any Access database that you currently have, it will open the Database window that has a panel on the left that says "Tables", "Queries", "Forms", and so on.

2. On the Left Panel, Click "Tables"

After clicking "Tables", on the right panel, you will see three options.

3. Double-click "Create table in Design view"

For this reading, the option you will be using is "Create table in Design view". This will give you a very easy-to-use GUI (Graphical User Interface) window to create your new table.

4. Enter Field Name and Data Type

A new window will open up with the title "Table1 : Table". This is where you will tell Microsoft Access what fields this table will have. You will notice 2 columns in this new window labeled "Field Name" and "Data Type". In another reading, I talk in greater detail what each one means, and how to select a Field Name and Data Type.

For this example, enter "FirstName", "LastName", "Age", and "Location" for the Field Name, with their respective Data Type being "Text", "Text", "Number", and "Text".

5. Click on File -> Save

Alternatively you can click on the Save icon in the toolbar.

A new window will popup called "Save As". This window is asking you to give your new table a name. Call this table whatever you want. I will call it "People". Type in the name of your new table into the textbox and click OK. Depending on the settings on your Microsoft Access, you might get a popup window that says there is no primary key defined and that it is recommended. For now, we won't be using a primary key. I will be talking about what a primary key is in a future article. If this window appears, click NO.

You have just created your first Microsoft Access database, and also your first table with 4 fields inside this database!