SQL with Microsoft Access

Learn to query, manipulate, and manage data using SQL in Microsoft Access. This hands-on course covers the full SQL language from data retrieval and joins to data manipulation, table design, and transactions, giving you the practical skills to extract and analyze data with confidence.

What You'll Learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand relational database concepts and how SQL operates as a declarative language
• Write SELECT queries to retrieve, filter, group, and sort data from single and multiple tables
• Use joins, UNION operators, subqueries, and correlated subqueries to handle complex data retrieval
• Insert, update, and delete records using Data Manipulation Language (DML)
• Create, alter, and drop database objects using Data Definition Language (DDL)
• Apply constraints including primary keys, foreign keys, and uniqueness rules to enforce data integrity
• Manage data consistency using transactions, commits, rollbacks, and savepoints
• Recognize key differences between SQL dialects including Microsoft Access, MySQL, Oracle, and PostgreSQL

Requirements

• Basic computer literacy
• No prior SQL or database experience required

Audience

• Business Analysts and Reporting Professionals working with Microsoft Access
• Data Analysts looking to build a solid foundation in SQL
• Anyone needing to extract and analyze structured data using queries

Topics

Relational Database Fundamentals

• Understanding Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS)
• Applying Relational Operators to Structured Data
• SQL as a Declarative Language: Syntax and Structure
• Overview of SQL Sublanguages: DQL, DML, DDL, and DCL

Querying Data with DQL

• Writing SELECT Statements and Retrieving Data
• Using Column and Table Aliases for Clarity
• Working with Date Types and Date Functions
• Aggregating Data with Group Functions
• Joining Tables with the JOIN Clause
• Combining Result Sets with the UNION Operator
• Writing Nested Queries and Correlated Subqueries

Manipulating Data with DML

• Inserting Rows Directly and via Subqueries
• Updating Existing Records
• Deleting Records from Tables

Defining Database Objects with DDL

• Creating, Altering, and Dropping Database Objects
• Creating Tables from Subquery Results

Enforcing Data Integrity with Constraints

• Working with NULL and NOT NULL
• Applying the CONSTRAINT Clause
• Using ENUM and SET Types
• Defining Primary Keys, Unique Constraints, and Foreign Keys
• Setting Default Values with the DEFAULT Clause

Managing Transactions

• Committing and Rolling Back Transactions
• Using SAVEPOINT for Partial Rollbacks
• Understanding Implicit and Explicit Transaction Behavior

SQL Dialects Overview

• Comparing MySQL, Microsoft Access, SQL Server, Oracle, and PostgreSQL
• Key Differences and Considerations When Moving Between Dialects