How to Access a Microsoft Database

The Microsoft Office suite offers users one primary database program: Microsoft Access. This program allows you to store important data, calculate mathematical functions, create charts and presentations and manage your business and accounts. Accessing a Microsoft Access database is as simple as opening the software and browsing for the particular file you want; however, you must have the software installed in order to view the files.

Step 1

Browse your "All Programs" list to see if the Microsoft Office suite software is installed on your computer; you can do this by clicking the "Start" menu and using the search bar to look up "Access." If the programs appear in the list, they are installed and ready to use.

Step 2

Open the database software you want to open and edit files in: Access or Excel. Wait for the program to load.

Step 3

Click the "File" button in the top of the program, then click "Open." You will now be able to browse for the database file you want to view and work with. Click "Open" when you have found the correct file.

References

• Functionx.com: Microsoft Access 2010: Introduction to Microsoft Access

Resources

• Microsoft Office: Access 2010

About the Author

Lindsay Howell has been writing since 2003. Her works have been featured in "Bittersweet," her campus literary magazine. Howell has a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Frostburg State University.