The Getting Started Screen

When you start Access 2007, the first screen that appears is the Getting Started with Microsoft Office Access page. The Getting Started with Microsoft Office Access page is the starting point from which you can create a new (blank) database, open an existing database, or view templates from Microsoft Office Online.

Access 2007 offers numerous templates that can save you many hours of work. You may use the templates as they are or customize them to fit your particular mission. A template is a ready-to-use database that contains all of the tables, queries  For example, there are templates that can be used to track issues, manage contacts, or keep a record of expenses. Some templates contain a few sample records to help demonstrate their use.

The basic Getting Started Window contains links to a variety of Templates. Simply click on the template you wish to work with or click on blank database to start without the benefit of a template.

You may also choose to show the templates by category by clicking on one the subject matters in the chart on the left of the window.

If you have been working with a database recently, it will be visible in column on the right of the window. Click on the database name and it will open.