There are three methods of creating a new table, which are listed in the table objects pane of the database window:

• Create the table in design view
• Create the table by using a Wizard - this allows you to select from a predefined set of table designs
• Create the table by entering data - if you are unsure about the data types that you should use to create the table, you can select this option; you will be presented with a new table in datasheet view

To create a table in design view

• From the Database Window, select Create table in Design view
  
• On the Database Window toolbar, click Open

A new blank table is displayed in design view.

A blank table in design view

Each row in the top half of the Table window represents a field. The bottom half of the dialogue box is split in to two sections: the right-hand pane displays a short description of the selected area of the dialogue box, while the left-hand side allows you to set additional properties for the field selected in the top half of the dialogue box.

To add a field to a table

There are only two mandatory properties for defining a field: the Field Name and Data Type.

• In the first row, type a name into the Field Name column
• Select the Data Type field for the same row

The default data type of Text is selected. Since the data types are selected from a limited choice, the options are selected from a drop-down list in this field.

• Click the drop down arrow
• Select the required data type from the list

Selecting a data type

Tip: Once you become more familiar with the data types available in Access, you may type the first letter of the data type that you are using, and Access will automatically choose that data type. For instance, you may type Y to define the fields as a Yes/No data type.

You may also add a comment for each field that you have created - you are encouraged to add these comments, especially where the meaning of the table is not clear - it may help you to understand later the decisions that you made when creating the table.

To set the Primary Key

As part of the table design, you should decide which field will become your primary key - hopefully from the discussion earlier in the course you should agree that a primary key is useful for a database table. If you do not choose a primary key when first creating the table, Access will remind you of the fact when you come to close or save the table, by displaying the following dialogue box.

• Select the field that you will use as a primary key
• On the Standard toolbar, click Primary Key

OR

• From the Edit menu, select Primary Key

The row that you have chosen as the primary key is marked with a small symbol in the selector button, on the left-hand side of the field list.