Developing Databases
Developing Databases
Learning Intentions:
You will need to download these 2 files and follow with class
instructions:
Microsoft Access is a Database Management System (DBMS) from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet
Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software development tools. It is a part of the Microsoft Office suite of
applications, included in the professional and higher editions. In the tutorials included in this unit we will cover the bas ics of
MS Access.
MS-access-Aarush Shah
See my example:
MS Access uses "objects" to help the user list and organise information, as well as prepare specially designed
reports. When you create a database, Access offers you Tables, Queries, Forms, Reports, Macros, and Modules.
Thursday, April 30, 2026 1:00 PM
Databases in Access are composed of many objects but the following are the major objects:
Form: Form is an object in a desktop database designed primarily for data input or display or for control of application
execution. You use forms to customise the presentation of data that your application extracts from queries or tables.
• Tables
• Queries
• Forms
• Reports
Together, these objects allow you to enter, store, analyse, and compile your data. Here is a summary of the major
objects in an Access database.
• The reason forms are used so often is that they are an easy way to guide people toward entering data correctly.
Table: Table is an object that is used to define and store data. When you create a new table, Access asks you to
define fields which is also known as column headings.
• Tables contain fields or columns that store different kinds of data, such as a name or an address, andrecords or
rows that collect all the information about a particular instance of the subject, such as all the information about a
customer or employee etc.
Report: Report is an object in desktop databases designed for formatting, calculating, printing, and summarising
selected data.
• You can view a report on your screen before you print it.
Query: An object that provides a custom view of data from one or more tables. Queries are away of searching
for and compiling data from one or more tables.
• If forms are for input purposes, then reports are for output.
• Anything you plan to print deserves a report, whether it is a list of names and addresses, a financial summary for a period,
or a set of mailing labels.
• When you build a query in Access, you are defining specific search conditions to find exactly the data you want.
• In Access, you can use the graphical query by example facility or you can write Structured Query Language (SQL)
statements to create your queries.
Using the information on this page, create a quiz using MS Forms that I can use to test the other class, Place the Form's
Collect responses link below:
To view the all the possible databases, you can scroll down or you can also use the search box.
Select the first template. You will see more information related to this template
Now, press the Create option. Access will download that database template and open a new blank database as shown in
the following screenshot.
Click the Projects Navigation and select the Object Type in the menu.
Open MS Access
Create a new blank database
Select Blank desktop database. Enter the name and click the Create button.
Data are stored in tables on databases and other database objects relies heavily on
these tables. Therefore any database design should start by creating all of its tables and
then creating any other object.
1. Creat MSAcess_CreateTables1.mp4
ea
table
with
MS
Acce
ss
2. Impo
rtant
Task toVideo Tutorial Practice Reflection
2. Project data table
creat
ea
requi
Field Name reme Data Type
nt
table
prior
to
the
desig
n
Create a second table MSAcess_TableDesignView.mp4 What is the difference between the two ways to creating tables?
Before creating any tables, the requirements must be carefully considered to determine
using the table design
the
viewtables' needs.
Project ID AutoNumber
3. Follo
w
the
instr
uctio
ns in
the
Author video Short Text
to
creat
e
your
own
table
Task:
Scenario: School Equipment Loan Database
Contracts Attachment
ProjectStart Date/Time
The data types were explained in the previous lesson refer to the table there to design
The data types were explained in the previous lesson refer to the table there to design
the table requirements.
ProjectEnd Date/Time
The school ICT department is having trouble keeping track of shared equipment such as laptops, cameras, chargers, and robotic s kits.
Budget Currency
At the moment, items are borrowed informally and sometimes go missing, are returned late, or are damaged without a clear reco rd of who borrowed what and
EmployeelD AutoNumber
when.
You have been asked to design a database using Microsoft Access to help the school store, organise, and manage information ab out equipment loans in a clear
and reliable way.
Create Tables:
Before creating any tables in Access, you must first create a requirements table to plan the database structure properly.
Field Name
Data Type
Field Data
Nam Typ
e e
Loan Auto
ID Num
ber
Stud Shor
entI t
D Text
Stud Shor
ent t
Nam Text
e
Equi Shor
pme t
ntID Text
Equi Shor
pme t
ntNa Text
me
Cate Shor
gory t
Text
Date Date
Borr /Tim
owe e
d
Due Date
Date /Tim
e
Date Date
Retu /Tim
rned e
Con Shor
ditio t
nBef Text
ore
Con Shor
ditio t
nAft Text
er
Stat Shor
us t
Text
Not Long
es Text
Read the information below and use your highlighter pen to highlight the key information you find:
Every field in a table has properties and these properties define the field's characteristics and behavior. The most important property
for a field is its data type. A field's data type determines what kind of data it can store. MS Access supports different types of data, each
with a specific purpose.
Friday, May 1, 2026 8:08 AM
• The data type determines the kind of the values that users can store in any given field.
Here are some of the most common data types you will find used in a typical Microsoft Access database.
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ed
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tabl
e.
Here are some of the other more specialized data types, you can choose from in Access.
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These are all the different data types that you can choose from when creating fields in a Microsoft Access table.
Score:
Data are stored in tables on databases and other database objects relies heavily on
these tables. Therefore any database design should start by creating all of its tables and
then creating any other object.
1. Creat MSAcess_CreateTables1.mp4
ea
table
with
MS
Acce
ss
2. Impo
rtant
Task toVideo Tutorial Practice Reflection
2. Project data table
creat
ea
requi
Field Name reme Data Type
nt
table
prior
to
the
desig
n
Create a second table MSAcess_TableDesignView.mp4 What is the difference between the two ways to creating tables?
Before creating any tables, the requirements must be carefully considered to determine
using the table design
the
viewtables' needs.
Project ID AutoNumber
3. Follo
w
the
instr
uctio
ns in
the
Author video Short Text
to
creat
e
your
own
table
Task:
Scenario: School Equipment Loan Database
Contracts Attachment
ProjectStart Date/Time
The data types were explained in the previous lesson refer to the table there to design
The data types were explained in the previous lesson refer to the table there to design
the table requirements.
ProjectEnd Date/Time
The school ICT department is having trouble keeping track of shared equipment such as laptops, cameras, chargers, and robotic s kits.
Budget Currency
At the moment, items are borrowed informally and sometimes go missing, are returned late, or are damaged without a clear reco rd of who borrowed what and
EmployeelD AutoNumber
when.
You have been asked to design a database using Microsoft Access to help the school store, organise, and manage information ab out equipment loans in a clear
and reliable way.
Create Tables:
Before creating any tables in Access, you must first create a requirements table to plan the database structure properly.
Field Name
Data Type
Why
did
you
cho
ose
thes
e
data
type
s?
Whi
ch
field
woul
d
mak
e
the
best
Prim
ary
Key
and
why
?
Wha
t
prob
lems
coul
d
occu
r if
the
wro
ng
data
type
How
does
plan
ning
with
a
requ
irem
ents
tabl
e
impr
ove
data
base
desi
gn?
An Access database is not a file in the same sense as a Microsoft Office Word document or a Microsoft Office PowerPoint
are. Instead, an Access database is a collection of objects like tables, forms, reports, queries etc. that must work together for a
database to function properly.
Use the following raw data to organise into your Database tables using the methods explained in the tutorials below.
Input Data add some data into your tables by opening the Add the file after you added the data What went well? Was there any
Access database we have created. shared on this page challenging steps?
Adding Data
Raw infor...
You work for a school sports club that needs a database to keep track of
members and the sports they play.
Reflection
The club wants to store member details and basic information about each sport
so they can organise events and teams more efficiently.
○ DuringData matches
the share, youthe field data types
will:
• For reference go to Data Types and Create Tables lessons to remember example of Data
Requirements table
• Justify why this decision improves the accuracy, organisation, or usefulness of your database
Explain why this change would make the database more reliable or useful.
FirstName Me Shor
LastName Me Shor
mbe t
r's text
last
nam
e
CoachID To Num
fine ber
out
Coac
h
Email Me Shor
mbe t
r Text
Emai
l
Addr
ess
○ Members
○ Sports
Success Criteria
Sunday, 17 May 2026 3:20 pm
Learning Intentions:
The school ICT department is having trouble keeping track of shared equipment such as laptops, cameras, chargers, and robotic s kits.
Import .csv files into Download these three .csv files and save them into the OneDrive folder that you created at the start of
• Use queries to filter and analyse data
this unit and named it " MSAccess_Tutorials_YourName"
an Access Database
file
At the moment, items are borrowed informally and sometimes go missing, are returned late, or are damaged without a clear reco rd of who borrowed what and
Students
when.
Loans
Equipment
Watch the video then apply how to import .csv files into a MS Access database file:
What question does your query answer? Which borrowed equipment items have the highest total value and who borrowed them?
You have been asked to design a database using Microsoft Access to help the school store, organise, and manage information ab out equipment loans in a clear
and reliable way.
[Link]
[Link]/:v:/g/personal/ghada_fahmi_hillsgrammar_nsw_edu_au/IQAcM3gwH75rQZnRqY_gwRnTAaJyWUqRRXWexbXKKwbkvUk?
nav=eyJyZWZlcnJhbEluZm8iOnsicmVmZXJyYWxBcHAiOiJTdHJlYW1XZWJBcHAiLCJyZWZlcnJhbFZpZXciOiJTaGFyZURpYWxvZy1MaW5rIiwicmVmZXJyYWxBcH
BQbGF0Zm9ybSI6IldlYiIsInJlZmVycmFsTW9kZSI6InZpZXcifX0%3D&e=l2zn8I
What does your results show? The results show the equipment name, borrower, quantity borrowed, due date, cost, and the
calculated total value of each loan.
• to work with
records from
more than
one table,
you often
must create
a query that
joins the
tables.
List down three questions the ICT team might need to find the answer to regarding the borrowed equipment that we take from th e Help Desk office frequently:
• Sort results
Why is this information useful for the It helps the school track expensive equipment, reduce losses, monitor borrowing records, and
manage resources more effectively.
school?
• The query
works by
matching the
values in the
primary key
field of the
first table
with a
• Design efficient queries for complex questions foreign key
field in the
second
table.
table.
What action could be taken based on this The school could follow up overdue loans, increase security for expensive items, repair
damaged equipment, or purchase more frequently borrowed items.
data?
• When you
design a
database,
you divide
your
information
into tables,
each of
which has a
primary key
and then add
foreign keys
to related
• Explain how query results support decision-making tables that
reference
those
primary
keys.
• These
foreign key-
primary
key
pairings for
m the basis
for table
relationships
and multi-
table
queries.
Watch the
video to
learn how
to create a
one-one
Relationshi
p then
apply what
you have
learned
and show
it in the
practice
field:
1. Add:
• Equip
ment
table
• Loans
table
2. Close the
window
3. Add the
following
fields:
• From Equip
ment:
• ItemN
ame
• Cost
• From Loans:
• Borro
wer
• Quanti
ty
• DueDa
te
You should
now see:
• Data
from
both
tables
combi
ned
• Crea
te a
calc
ulat
ed
field
Descending
1. This is because Zoe needs to figure out the patients for diagnosis and treatment
2. Reception Staff
5. The way database contains stuff about them, like allergies and procedures
Here are three highly reliable data sources for each major field. These are widely used by
researchers, governments, universities, and international organisations because they provide large-
scale, validated, and regularly updated datasets.
Health
• Includes disease prevalence, mortality, vaccination, healthcare access, and life expectancy
Economics
• Includes labour markets, productivity, inequality, taxation, and education -economy links
Scenario:
Understanding the data storage and organisation Strawberry Hill High School recently
established a student-run cafe. The cafe was the initiative of the school’s careers adviser
and some students on the Student Representative Council. They saw the opportunity to
provide students with hospitality experience, while also providing staff and senior
students with a service that could build positivity about their day at school. With a
minimal budget and limited technology expertise, the cafe was initially set up and run
with basic data logging in spreadsheet software for stock and the use of paper-based
data storage and organisation, including customer loyalty cards and student rosters. The
cafe only sells drinks but does have plans for selling baked goods in the future. During
the first year, the cafe has become increasingly successful, resulting in greater data
processing demands and issues with errors due to its paper-based components. The
student managers have identified the need for a complete digital system. With the use of
a digital system they also see the potential for additional processes that could be used to
improve efficiency, customer experience and the further success of the cafe.
○ Minimal Budget
○ Student Rosters
▪ Customer Expierence
▪ Further Success
○ Student helpers
○ Rosters======
○ Students
○ Teachers
- Table Details
- Data Types
Payments
Students
Who Short
bought Text
it
Age Numbe
r
Diatary Short
Requir Text
ments
How Currenc
much y
paid
What Short
they Text
bought
Student Autonu
Numbe mber
r
Thing Type
Who Short
sold it text
Year Numbe
group r
How Numbe
much r
they
sold
Price of Currenc
what y
they
sold
Time Date/Ti
me
Student Autonu
ID mber
Rosters
Thing Type
Student Shortte
xt
Student Autonu
ID mber
Time Date/Ti
me
Year Numbe
Level r
Item
Thing Type
ItemID Auto
Numbe
r
User questions
6. Is anythinh outdated
Task 1:
Work with AI to create a .csv data file based on the fields and data types you designed last lesson.
Weak prompt
“Generate a CSV file with 100 rows using these fields: CustomerID, FirstName, LastName, Order, Date.”
Strong prompt
“Generate a downloadable CSV file with 100 rows for a school café database. Use these fields exactly: CustomerID,
FirstName, LastName, Order, Date. Make the orders realistic for a school café, use Australian-style dates, and ensure
the data is clean enough to import into Microsoft Access.”
“Generate a CSV file with 100 rows for a school café database. Use these exact headings: CustomerID, FirstName,
LastName, Order, Date. CustomerID must be unique. Names should be realistic. Orders should suit a school café
menu. Dates should be formatted DD/MM/YYYY. Return the output as plain CSV only.”
. Enhance your prompts until you get a populated .csv file that can be used in your school cafe example
Attempt Task AI Prompt Used What AI Produced Problems I Noticed How I Improved My Final Evidenc
Prompt Decisio e of My
n Own
Thinkin
g
1 Genera “Generate a CSV file with 100 Sales,Typesold,AmountofSales,TypeNumber,Date It is not in a file Ask to put it in my file Change
te CSV rows for a school café the
data database. Use these exact prompt
headings: Sales, Typesold,
AmountofSales, TypeNumber,
Date. Date must be unique.
Names should be realistic.
Orders should suit a school
café menu. Dates should be
formatted DD/MM/YYYY.
formatted DD/MM/YYYY.
Return the output as plain CSV
only.”
Ham Sandwich,Sandwich,24,1001,01/01/2025
Chicken Wrap,Wrap,18,1002,02/01/2025
Veggie Roll,Snack,12,1004,04/01/2025
Apple Juice,Drink,20,1005,05/01/2025
Orange Juice,Drink,17,1006,06/01/2025
Chocolate Muffin,Bakery,14,1007,07/01/2025
Blueberry Muffin,Bakery,11,1008,08/01/2025
Greek Yogurt,Healthy,9,1014,14/01/2025
Caesar Wrap,Wrap,18,1015,15/01/2025
Turkey Sandwich,Sandwich,22,1016,16/01/2025
Iced Coffee,Drink,15,1018,18/01/2025
Hot Chocolate,Drink,14,1019,19/01/2025
Chocolate Chip
Cookie,Bakery,20,1020,20/01/2025
Garden Salad,Healthy,8,1024,24/01/2025
Strawberry Milk,Drink,16,1026,26/01/2025
Chocolate Milk,Drink,18,1027,27/01/2025
Vanilla Slice,Bakery,9,1028,28/01/2025
Chicken Sandwich,Sandwich,21,1031,31/01/2025
Veggie Wrap,Wrap,14,1032,01/02/2025
Berry Smoothie,Drink,15,1038,07/02/2025
Mango Smoothie,Drink,13,1039,08/02/2025
Oat Cookie,Bakery,12,1040,09/02/2025
BLT Sandwich,Sandwich,19,1042,11/02/2025
Chicken Caesar
Salad,Healthy,10,1043,12/02/2025
Water Bottle,Drink,25,1044,13/02/2025
Brownie,Bakery,18,1046,15/02/2025
Yogurt Parfait,Healthy,9,1054,23/02/2025
Banana Muffin,Bakery,10,1055,24/02/2025
Veggie Sandwich,Sandwich,12,1058,27/02/2025
Milkshake,Drink,13,1059,28/02/2025
Apple Slice,Bakery,9,1062,03/03/2025
Chicken Salad,Healthy,10,1064,05/03/2025
Egg Wrap,Wrap,14,1067,08/03/2025
Banana Smoothie,Drink,13,1068,09/03/2025
Turkey Wrap,Wrap,12,1070,11/03/2025
Fruit Muffin,Bakery,8,1072,13/03/2025
Ham Roll,Snack,11,1073,14/03/2025
Iced Tea,Drink,16,1075,16/03/2025
Chicken Club
Sandwich,Sandwich,18,1076,17/03/2025
Berry Yogurt,Healthy,9,1078,19/03/2025
Blueberry Smoothie,Drink,12,1082,23/03/2025
Chocolate Cupcake,Bakery,11,1083,24/03/2025
Vanilla Cupcake,Bakery,10,1084,25/03/2025
Fruit Skewers,Healthy,8,1087,28/03/2025
Orange Cake,Bakery,9,1088,29/03/2025
Apple Danish,Bakery,10,1091,01/04/2025
Cheese Croissant,Bakery,11,1092,02/04/2025
Mango Juice,Drink,15,1095,05/04/2025
Chocolate Milkshake,Drink,16,1099,09/04/2025
2 Make Can you turn it into a CSV file Your CSV file is ready: It worked It worked It
the file please worked
3 Make
data
realistic
for
school
café
4 Check
formatt
ing for
import
into
Access
5. Using the questions you came up with last lesson, design yoru queries
Data Sources
[Link] [[Link]]
Search tips:
○ Busiest Routes
Search tips:
1. Which routes carry the highest number of passangers , and how does ridership vary by transport mode (train,
bus, light rail)
2. What are the peak travel times across different NSW regions, and how do morning and afternoon peaks
compare
Consider:
1. First question
i. Route ID,
v. Destination Spot
i. Direction
1) Inbound
2) Outbound
c. Number 3
i. Operator
2. Second Question
a. First
i. Stop/Station ID
iii. Address
b. Number 2
i. Scheduled departure
c. Number 3
i. NSW region
d. Number 4
i. Accessible facilities
3. Third Question
a. 1
i. Trip ID
b. 2
i. Scheduled Departure
Arrival Times
c.
3
i.
Day Typoe
1)
Weekday
2)
Weekend
3)
Public Holiday
d.
4
i.
Route
ii.
Vehicle Information
Route
a.
RouteID
b.
Route Name
2.
Modes
a.
ModeID
b.
ModeName
3.
Regions
a.
RegionID
b.
RegionName
4.
Stops
a.
StopID
b.
StopName
c.
RegionID
5.
RouteStops
a.
RouteStopID
b.
RouteID
c.
StopID
d.
StopSequence
6.
DailyRidership
a.
Ridership ID
b.
RouteID
c.
ServiceData
d.
TotalPassangers
StopUsage
a.
UsageID
b.
StopID
c.
ServiceData
d.
TimeInterval
e.
Boardings
f.
Alightings
8.
Trips
a.
TripID
b.
RouteID
c.
ServiceData
d.
DepatureTime
e.
ArrivalTime
VehicleId
9.
TripStopTimes
a.
TripStopTime
b.
TripID
c.
StopID
d.
ArrivalTime
e.
DepatureTime
10.
PeakPeriods
a.
PeakID
b.
PeakName
c.
StartTime
d.
EndTime
11.
RoutePeakUsage
RoutePeakUsage
a.
RoutePeakUsageID
b.
RouteID
c.
PeakID
d.
ServiceData
e.
Passengers
Why it is needed
The scenario asks us to construct a few tables on a Data Base Management System based on the transportation
data. This helps them understand route times and passangers.
Ensure that you have the field name they way you will add it to the DB file
Add an explanation of what you need this field and explain briefly the data type choice
7.
Import to MS Access DB
9.
Create relationships
10.
Design and run queries aligned with the questions you came up with.