Course Content - Microsoft Access (for Geologists)

What is an Access Database?

Introduce relational databases
Discuss tables, queries, forms, reports, pages, macros and modules
Note: The course will only cover tables and queries

The Access Interface

Introduce the Access 2007 interface
Examine tables and data within the training database

Database Relationships

Review one to one, one to many, and many to many relationships
Create a relationship between tables using Primary keys and examine the cascade effect

Data Management

Sorting records
Filtering records
Create queries using the Query Wizard (eg. Find average and maximum gold in each drill hole, List sample type beside each gold assay)
Search for duplicate data (eg. Duplicate sample numbers, determine number of samples per drill hole, locate any holes with resampled intervals)
Create queries in Design View (select tables, columns, set sort order, run query, modify query, set selection criteria)
Review query exception expressions for text, numeric and date data types
Joining tables (inner and outer joins)
Aggregates in queries (eg. Determine total metres drilled in an area)

Data Import (Linked Tables) and Export

Create a new Access database and import data (linked) from another database
Discuss reasons to use this process

MapInfo DBMS and Linked Tables

Open and create a new DBMS connection in MapInfo
Discuss link options (download data, live access, live access cache)
Make a table mappable using a Map Catalog

Link an Access Table to MapInfo Polygons

Import an Access table of selected tenement records in to
MapInfo and link (via SQL Query) to a MapInfo table containing polygons
Save results using File > Save Query As and discuss reasons why

Querying Access Data from Within MapInfo

List all drill holes in a selected tenement
Utilise an Access query from within MapInfo
Open an Access table using column and row filters
Discuss Expert mode when importing Access data into MapInfo

Discover Drillholes Linked to Access Queries

Examine drill data in Access database, discuss downhole requirements and create queries to reformat data
Import Access queries into MapInfo, create points, discuss Discover DBMS issues and workarounds for creating plans and sections
Create sections and annotate with downhole data