Reviews (13)

Good for intermediate users.
Considering that it's only one volume, this book is about as comprehensive as you can get. Good instruction, great index, and an excellent accompanying cd with exercises and additional information. The book itself could have been more concise, though. At times it's repetative and redundant, but for no other reason than to clarify the author's methodolgy behind the current lesson. Being an intermediate user, this was a great book; however, if you consider yourself advanced, I'd skip this and try to find something more specific. This isn't really a great book for beginners either; you'd probably find it a bit overwhelming and the terminology a bit confusing. Regardless, it's a great reference tool for any user, and I recommend it.

Not as good as you might think
I have had "Bibles" of the last 3 versions of Access. I was disappointed with the earlier versions in that they did not go into macros and VBA as much as I wanted. I was overjoyed that this version does, but found many problems. All the books in the "Bible" series have problems with proofing. There are too many typos. Even a section on spell check in this book had the wrong words entered for the spell check. The bigger problem is with the examples provided on the CD. Some files are missing in the chapters. And the coding does not always work. I tried to program a personal project using a much-needed procedure and could not get it or my lesson to work. What a surprise - the completed project that was provided on the CD did not work either. Wiley needs to proof and test more before going to press. Also a little too high level for beginner Access users - assumes that the average user understands the VBA terms and their applications.

ACCESS Bible
This was third helper I found--it should have been the first. All I would have needed! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books And Software    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Database management    6. Desktop Applications - MS Access    7. Microcomputer Database Management Software    8. Microsoft Access    9. Access    10. Computers / Database Management / General   

Reviews (4)

An Indispensable Desk Reference
The book not only lists all the function and script in a esay to find format, it also includes many custom functions which one usually pays seasoned developer to write. Scott Love, Steve Lane and Bob Bowers are leaders of the FileMaker Pro community and in this book they generously share their expertise. The chapter on XML custom function itself is already worth the price.Their other book, Special Edition Using FileMaker 8, is just simply the best. Filled with extensive techinques and tricks, all clearly written and explained, you just couldn't ask for a better book about FileMaker Pro 8.

More functions and script examples please
Good book but it does not include enough functions and scripts examples.

One of the few "indispensable" Filemaker bnooks
In my library I have 25+ Filemaker books dating back to Filemaker 2.0.A very few of them are tattered, bookmarked and dogeared and sit withing arms reach of my computer."Scriptology" is one of them, as is "Filemaker Pro 5.5 Techniques for Developers"."FileMaker 8 Functions and Scripts Desk Reference" joins these.I've only had it a few weeks and it is starting to take on the patina of those stalwarts.A truly useful reference - dare I say "essential"? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Desktop Applications - FileMaker Pro    6. FileMaker pro    7. FileMaker pro (Computer software)    8. Microcomputer Database Management Software    9. Computers / Database Management / General    10. Databases & data structures   

Reviews (4)

Best Book on Crystal Reports 10
This book has been an invaluable resource in creating and publishing reports with Crystal Reports 10. I've been able to give it to new designers to get them up to speed and also use it to look for answers to quick questions on new features. Overall, this is the most versatile book I've found on Crystal Reports 10.

Complete but not for learners
This book delivers exactly what the title promises. It goes through Crystal Reports 10 screen by screen and feature by feature. It is well laid out and has lots of screen prints. There is way too much verbiage, at least for this reader.
Good review -- lacks advanced depth
The text is one of the first available for Crystal Reports 10.It does a good job of covering all the basics.It even goes into some "intermediate" details in various sections.If you're new or fairly new to Crystal Reports, then the book will be a valuable reference to you.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business Software - General    3. Business Writing    4. Business report writing    5. Business/Economics    6. Computers - Integrated Software    7. Data processing    8. Database Management - General    9. Microcomputer Database Management Software    10. Seagate Crystal reports    11. Written Communication In Business    12. Computer Software Packages    13. Computers / Business Software / General    14. Office & workplace   

Reviews (4)

my favorite reference
I really like this book. it not only helps answer thing but makes suggestion and gives real world scenerios at end of a chapter. I use it mostly for a reference tool as chapters 1-11 pertain to CR XI report creation part, which is what I need refresh on the most. I do wish there was a good tool book that gave more on crystal syntax if anyone knows please email me, but this book helps get me thinking on the right track.
A Solid Reference - But Poorly Organized
This is a solid book and a worthwhile reference.Unfortunately, the content organization is somewhat confusing--and the sheer size of the book makes it fairly difficult to find what you're looking for.
Did not answer my question.
I purchased this book with the hope of figuring out how to produce a table of contents. Since database publishing tools are no longer produced I was trying reproduce the effect in Crystal Reports. I have 18 years experience using the Oracle Reporting tools and know how to produce what I need, however Oracle will no longer be supporting it's report toolset. There is an article on the Business Objects knowledge base on how to do this but it is written for SQL Sever and not Oracle. I was hoping that this book would go into this real world situation, it does not. I have also gone to the book's web site and asked for help, but no reply after 2 weeks.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Communication - General    4. Business Writing    5. Business report writing    6. Business/Economics    7. Computer Books: Database    8. Computer programs    9. Database Management - General    10. Microcomputer Database Management Software    11. Seagate Crystal reports    12. Written Communication In Business    13. Computer Software Packages    14. Computers / Database Management / General   

Editorial Review

Microsoft Access has the steepest learning curve of all the Microsoft Office applications. Its basic functions aren't really intuitive, and users typically need to do some programming as part of their first Access project. For those reasons, Access is the Office application for which Office users--even experienced, highly competent ones--tend to need help learning. Read more

Reviews (12)

Clear, excellent, complete book!
I'm a UNIX sys admin suddenly plunged into the world of Micro$oft Access without any prior knowledge of it.I'm supposed to make some improvements to a relatively sophisticated existing Access database. I love Alison Balter's book because it is extremely clear and is teaching me everything I need to know, yet without being so basic that it drives me up the wall.I'm working my way through her examples and exercises, and they're a great help in working on my "real" database.This book has everything I need to learn Access and be able to work on a complicated Access database.
An Advanced Introduction
This text is nothing if not thorough. It covers virtually every aspect of using Microsoft Access 2003 and most of it is done in a clear and thorough manner. It does not only teach the use of the program, it teaches the use of relational databases and some of the theory behind them. Best of all, it teaches good habits which, when adhered to, cut down on problems later on down the line. It is an excellent text.
Look no further for an Access 2003 book
Look no further for an Access 2003 book. I found the information to be invaluable and the writing style a pleasant read; which is often a rarity in technical books. Alison is to be commended for the quality of information in this book and her writing style. The book is a must by and addition to any Access developer's library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business Software - MSOffice    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computers    4. Computers - Integrated Software    5. Database Management - General    6. Microcomputer Database Management Software    7. Access    8. Computers / Database Management / General   

Reviews (10)

Doesn't Walk the Talk
Let me first say that I'm a dBase programmer and a relative novice to Visual Foxpro.Even still, though I've loaded the software version of this book onto my computer and consulting it many times, I still haven't found a useful tip that justified the $40 I paid for it.
learn more about fox pro
i need to review this book

A keeper...
This book is not a comprehensive reference book for VFP.This book is not an instructional book for someone new to VFP. This book does not focus on any single aspect of VFP.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Desktop Applications - FoxPro    6. Computers / Database Management / General    7. FoxPro   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Computers / Database Management / General    6. Database software   

Subjects:  1. Computer - Internet    2. Computer Bks - Internet    3. Computer Books: Word Processing    4. Computers    5. Database Management - General    6. Internet - General    7. Microcomputer Database Management Software    8. Access    9. Computers / Database Management / General   

Subjects:  1. Accounting    2. Accounting (General)    3. Accounting - General    4. Business & Economics    5. Business / Economics / Finance    6. Business/Economics    7. Data processing    8. Financial Applications - General    9. Information Management    10. Microcomputer Database Management Software    11. Programming - General    12. Transaction systems (Computer    13. Transaction systems (Computer systems)    14. Access    15. Accounting software    16. Computers / Financial Applications / General    17. Finance & Accounting   

Reviews (1)

You might not be dumb as you think.
For some of the material, I thought the book was o.k., but for others, it seemed a bit overly simplistic and difficult to find solutions for more complicated tasks.Does not include tips on Publisher, which was disappointing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Application Software For Business    2. Business    3. Business Software - General    4. Business Software - MSOffice    5. Computer Books: General    6. Computer programs    7. Computers - Integrated Software    8. Integrated software    9. Microcomputer Integrated Application Software    10. Microsoft Access    11. Microsoft Excel (Computer file    12. Microsoft Office    13. Microsoft PowerPoint (Computer    14. Microsoft Word    15. Computers / Business Software / General    16. Microsoft Windows   

Reviews (5)

Information at the Expense of Instruction

The right book
This book worths my money.All I need to do is to learn the syntax for Access VBA.I already has novice level of general programming.This book has clear and simple explanation of Access VBA syntax through its practical examples.
Table of Contents
"Here's the TOC I got from another site in case it helps."
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Subjects:  1. Business Software - General    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computers    4. Computers - Data Base Management    5. Desktop Applications - MS Access    6. Microcomputer Database Management Software    7. Programming - Visual Basic - VBA (Visual Basic for Applicati    8. Access    9. Computers / Database Management / General   

Reviews (17)

The Gold Standard
What do I mean by the "gold standard?" As a professional Access developer, I use a lot of reference materials. Besides the Internet, my bookshelf is full of Acces, SQL Server, VBA, T-SQL, and Office reference books. But there is one publication that I always check first when I'm perplexed or curious. It's my gold standard if you will allow me that hyperbole. I'm speaking of the Access 2002 Developer's Handbook, published by Sybex.
Great great book
If you need to know anything about access 2002 this book has it!i use it all the time

A Must Have for Serious Access Developers
If you are just a beginer you might find parts of the Developer's Handbook set difficult to understand, but as you enhance your skillsets you will find these to be a must have. For a serious Access Developer these books are a definitely a must have. I've written in-house applications for years since Access 2.0. Now, I'm writing commercial applications using Access 2002 and the Developer's Handbook set has been a tremendous resource. It covers things you just have to know if you are going to create serious and dependable software applications using Access. Plus, the files that come on the CD's come with code samples you can really make use of. Of all the people I've read of in the Access Industry, these guys are masters of Access. I'd listen to anything they have to say. They know their stuff, big time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Desktop Applications - MS Access    6. Microcomputer Database Management Software    7. Access    8. Computers / Database Management / General   

Reviews (9)

Great book from the Access Experts!!!!!
Back in 1999 I purchased the Access 97 Bible to help me computerize my employer's auditing system into and Access database. The book was great I completed my task with such ease thanks to the book. Great book from the Access Experts!!!!!
Back in 1999 while working for a Aerospace Manufacturing company I purchased the Access 97 Bible which was a great book. I computerized the company's auditing system with an Access database. The book was a great help. Don't waste your money...
...or your time if you're an intermediate to advanced Access user.Basically this book just reiterates what's in the help section - and we all know how good MS has made their help sections - of the program.I can't get answers to any of my questions... you'd have better luck going to the MS online forums and asking your questions there.But hey, if you're new to Access or not real computer savy, this book may be helpful.Beats learning/perfecting the art of obtaining help from MS "help".One last note, Access Inside/Out is the same thing, so if you do get one of them, only buy ONE. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Database management    6. Desktop Applications - MS Access    7. Microcomputer Database Management Software    8. Microsoft Access    9. Access    10. Computers / Database Management / General   

Reviews (8)

Not what I thought
The book was not exactly what I thought it was going to be.It seemed to really not cover forms in very much detail.Other areas such as ADO topics were covered more indepth than I would expect.This is a very techincal book and I don't think it would be very useful for people looking to learn access development.Overall an OK book but not one of the best that I have read.

A tool for the mind
I work for an energy management company and I find Access has robust data management capabilities that can be put to fruition without having to necessarily rely on outside people. In spite of its purported weakness on the web-solutions side, Access still is the only application that encompasses both desktop and server environments. Obviously, to take advantage of that, you need to be conversant with how Access ticks so if you want a book that will show you how to do all kinds of acrobatics with recordsets, this is the one for you!
Excellent book, nice author
Not only is the book excellent in that it has lots of pertinent material for the sorts of work I am doing in Access, but when I did have a small problem with one of the examples, the author responded immediately to my request for clarification, and all has gone well since then. I didn't have any problem with downloading the code.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computer Programming    3. Computers    4. Computers - Languages / Programming    5. Database Management - General    6. Desktop Applications - MS Access    7. Microcomputer Database Management Software    8. Microsoft Access    9. Programming - General    10. Access    11. Computers / General   

Reviews (2)

A Good Introduction
This is a good introduction to working with Access 2003. It is introductory in nature and can be successfully used by those with no background at all. The instructions a very detailed and are given step by step. This process is so basic, that it often becomes annoying and prompts thoughts such as, "surely, they realize I can do THAT by now". Even though it is annoying, that is also part of the strength of this tutorial.
Access 2003 Comprehensive Concepts and Techniques
We have been using this textbook for Database Management at Kaplan University.This is the most informative and well illustrated textbook I think I have ever seen.Every step, every new technique is clearly explained. This has made me fall in love with Database Management and Microsoft Access!!I have been going around my work offering to make databases for everybody I see!!This is absolutely 5 stars!!!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Access    6. Computers / Database Management / General   

Reviews (37)

Need to know what CR does on the object level? this is the book.
If you need to know what's going on under the hood of Crystal reports, this book is a must have.
Good outline for overall functions about Crystal Report
This is my first and the only Crystal Reports book.I bought this coz this is the first time I am working on a VB.NET project and have to build reports for it.
Save your money
This book sucks!
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Subjects:  1. Business report writing    2. Computer Books: Languages    3. Computer programs    4. Computers    5. Computers - Languages / Programming    6. Data processing    7. Microsoft .NET Framework    8. Programming - General    9. Programming Languages - General    10. Seagate Crystal reports    11. Computer Programming    12. Computers / Programming Languages / General   

Reviews (8)

Useful comparison of ADP versus MDB
I own this book along with Wordware's Access 2003 Programming by Example with VBA, XML and ASP.I find that this book has a more comprehensive treatement of subjects such as using ADE, Access upsizing via ADP versus MDB databases with linked tables and DAO.Granted that DAO is quite dated but its inclusion in the book is prefaced by a discussion of the advantages that it has over ADO in some limited applications.The book also tries to provide a balanced view of the advantages and disadvantages of each technology, even if it does spend more of its time concentrating on DAO.
For those looking to put a professional polish on their Access 2003 apps !!
Excellent expert advice in this book. The best feature is it's practicality... real-worldness.I would recommend it to everybody here, but nobody here is really hot with the English language.We're just waiting for you all to come out with a Japanese version....:D
This book is for programmers - not beginners
Read the title before you buy this book. The book is a reference for Programmers already familiar with Access and it shows a lot of examples which can be used by most Programmers. If VBA Programming is new to you, you should start with a "Step by Step" book and then afterwards carry on with this book. Personally I missed the declaration of variables in this book (as well as in most other books about Programming). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books And Software    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Database management    6. Microcomputer Database Management Software    7. Microsoft Access    8. Microsoft Visual Basic for app    9. Microsoft Visual Basic for applications    10. Programming Languages - Visual BASIC    11. Computer Software Packages    12. Computers / Database Management / General   

Reviews (5)

Great Beginner to Intermediate Book on Access and VBA
I must highly recommend this book by Denise Gosnell. After skimming through about 20 books on the subject at a super bookstore in Melbourne, I decided this book was the best by far. I must admit, I am beginning to become slightly discouraged at the amount of books out there - especially on PHP and MySQL that I decided to bite the bullet and learn Access and Visual Basic programming.
2much2fast
I'm sure this author knows what she means and means well but as an instructor she just doesn't get it.
Good Programming practices
I have been programming in VB for about 12 years and I found this 'Beginning' book VERY useful.Most books give you syntax on how to write certain 'things' but fail to give you good programming practice examples.This may not be pointed out to a novice user, but if you are familiar with any type coding and 'read' between the lines, one will notice great coding examples.Shows you examples of what to place in modules to separate business logic from the user forms from database logic, and etc.Great examples Denise.Please keep up the good work.Most books will have you type the same info in every VB module or form showing functionality without showing good separation of logic and good programming practice.I fully enjoyed this book and hope to hear more from Denise in future books.... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Database Management - General    5. Database management    6. Desktop Applications - MS Access    7. Microcomputer Database Management Software    8. Microsoft Access    9. Microsoft Access (Computer sof    10. Microsoft Visual Basic for app    11. Programming Languages - General    12. Programming Languages - Visual BASIC    13. Access    14. Computers / Database Management / General   

Editorial Review

They say information wants to be free, and you can be its liberator by using the Read more

Reviews (30)

Not the Bible!!
The book claims to be the Bible, which to me means that it is the authority on the subject...it isnt! To its credit, the book does cover a lot of material and gives you a basic understanding of the components of Access. However the major problem is that the book offers very few examples. There is a CD that comes with the book, but why do I need to reference a CD for every detai?! In fact the CD isn't referenced much in the book at all.
Not solution oriented enough
I've been using this for a few weeks and like the accompanying CD which allows you to search the entire book easily.What I don't like is that too often I found myself struggling to find solutions that existed but were not documented.Like what do you do when you've set up a report and want to add a field that's not on the Field List.The trick is to go back and expand the query the report is based on to include that field but you won't find that in here.Instead you might (as I did) struggle with Text Boxes that allow you to build expressions based on the field you want, but you come up with an error message.Also they are so proud of their sample database that you find yourself having to go into it all the time to understand their explanations.I find myself, instead, turning to Access's online help for much of what I should find more nicely explained in this book, both with and without the examples.

A waste of money
This book is so riddled with errors, I can't believe it was published.Bad grammar, mislabled pictures, erroneous statements -- you name it. Wiley should be embarrassed to have put out a book this shabby. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Database    2. Computers    3. Computers - Data Base Management    4. Database Management - General    5. Database management    6. Desktop Applications - MS Access    7. Microcomputer Database Management Software    8. Access    9. Computers / Database Management / General   

Reviews (1)

Want to learn Access?
This book is the greatest for taking you step by step through each part of Access.It is very easy to follow and learn from. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Data Base Management    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computers    4. Computers - Data Base Management    5. Database Management - General    6. Access    7. Computers / Database Management / General    8. Databases & data structures