Microsoft Access Programmer Atlanta, Georgia

Access Programmer Tips - Changing Axes

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The material below originally appeared in Alison Balter's book Mastering Microsoft Office Access 2007 Development. and is reprinted here with the author's permission. There may be references to "Figures" or "Chapters"that are not reprintable and are not used on this page.

Exchanging Axes

If you are viewing Year across the top and Country down the side, and you decide to view Year across the side and Country across the top, simply drag and drop their name buttons to switch the positions in which they appear. You can also easily drag new items to the pivot table from the PivotTable list at any time or remove them from the pivot table entirely.

Switching to PivotChart View

When you define a PivotTable view, you automatically generate a PivotChart view. You will see how evident this is by using the View tool to switch to PivotChart view. The results appear as shown in Figure 4.52. You can use Ribbon buttons to add legends and to modify the chart type.

Practical Examples: Building Queries Needed by the Time and Billing Application for a Computer Consulting Firm

Build a query based on tblTimeCardHours. This query gives you the total billing amount by project for a specific date range. The query's design is shown in Figure 4.53. Notice that this is a Totals query that groups by project and totals by using the following expression:

• BillAmount: Sum([BillableHours]*[BillingRate])

The DateWorked field is used as the Where clause for the query with this criteria:

• Between [Enter Start Date] And [Enter End Date]

The two parameters of the criteria are declared in the Query Parameters dialog box (see Figure 4.54). Save this query as qryBillAmountByProject.

The second query is based on tblClients, tblProjects, and tblTimeCardHours. This query gives you the total billing amount by client for a specific date range. The query's design is shown in Figure 4.54. This query is a Totals query that groups by the company name from the tblClients table and totals by using the following expression:

• BillAmount: Sum([BillableHours]*[BillingRate])

As with the first query, the DateWorked field is used as the Where clause for the query, and the parameters are defined in the Query Parameters dialog box. Save this query as qryBillAmountByClient.

These queries are included on the sample CD-ROM in a database called CHAP4.ACCDB. Of course, if this were a completed application, you would build many other queries.

Summary

This chapter covered the foundations of perhaps the most important function of a database: getting data from the database and into a usable form. You learned about the Select query used to retrieve data from a table, how to retrieve data from multiple tables, and how to use functions in your queries to make them more powerful by synthesizing data. In later chapters, you will extend your abilities with Action queries and queries based on other queries (also known as nested queries).

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Author Attribution

The previous material originally appeared in Alison Balter's book Mastering Microsoft Office Access 2007 Development and is reprinted here with the author's permission.

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Expert Microsoft Access Programmer In Atlanta, GA

MS Access Solutions provides expert Microsoft Access programming services for businesses in Atlanta, Georia, with direct support available at (323)285-0939. Our dedicated team brings 25 years of specialized experience in Microsoft Access and SQL Server database development. We have successfully implemented custom database solutions across diverse sectors including healthcare, government, United States military, academia including colleges and local school districts, agriculture, human resources, and insurance companies.

Expert Support For Microsoft Access Maintenance and Optimization

Not every project starts from scratch. Many of our clients rely on existing Microsoft Access systems that need ongoing care, updates, or technical corrections. We provide specialized maintenance and performance tuning for Access databases—helping businesses keep their systems stable, efficient, and aligned with evolving business needs.

• Form restoration and usability fixes: We repair Access forms that are unresponsive, display incorrect data, or crash during use. We also enhance layout and controls to make forms easier for users to navigate and understand.
• Advanced report optimization: When reports take too long to generate or return inconsistent results, we investigate the source logic, indexes, and joins. We rewrite underlying queries and refine layouts so reports are accurate, fast, and easier to distribute.
• Query troubleshooting and logic repair: Broken queries can affect entire workflows. We analyze query logic, optimize joins, replace inefficient expressions, and apply filters that improve both performance and data integrity.
• Macro streamlining and automation: We modernize outdated macros and create new ones to automate multi-step processes like data imports, report generation, or cross-table updates—freeing your team from manual tasks.
• VBA debugging and code refinement: Access systems often rely on complex VBA modules. We debug legacy code, remove redundant logic, improve performance, and ensure the application responds correctly to user input and business rules.
• Error prevention and system hardening: We implement validation checks, logging tools, and alerts to reduce data entry errors and improve troubleshooting visibility for administrators.

Our goal is to make your Access database more resilient, more usable, and easier to support over time. Whether you're experiencing performance issues or preparing for a system upgrade, our maintenance services help extend the life of your database while keeping it aligned with your current business processes.

Find out more about our programmer services on the Microsoft Access Programmer Honolulu, Hawaii web page.

Why Is My Access Database Running Slow?

If your Microsoft Access database feels sluggish - like forms opening slowly, reports freezing, or queries taking forever, it's probably not your imagination. As Access databases grow, slowdowns can start to creep in. The good news? Most issues have clear causes and practical solutions.

1. The File Has Grown Too Large

Access databases store everything in one file: tables, forms, reports, macros, even temporary data. Over time, the file can become bloated, even when you delete things. That excess weight slows down how quickly Access can do its job.

Tip: Use the "Compact and Repair" feature regularly. It trims unnecessary data and often restores speed in just a few seconds.

2. The Structure Needs Tuning

Sometimes it's not the data, it's how the database was built. If tables aren't structured efficiently, or you're storing duplicate data across multiple fields, Access has to work harder than it should.

Tip: Normalize your tables, apply indexing on fields you search or join on, and avoid pulling every column when a few will do.

3. Queries Are Doing Too Much

Complex queries can really slow things down, especially when they pull in entire tables, use unindexed joins, or calculate values in real-time. Access tries to keep up, but the more it processes, the longer it takes.

Tip: Keep queries focused. Select only the fields you need and add filters to limit the dataset before Access starts processing.

4. It's Being Used by Multiple People But Isn't Split

If more than one person uses the same Access file over a network, performance can really drop. Access was never designed for heavy multi-user traffic without being properly set up for it.

Tip: Split your database. Store the data (back end) in one file on the network (we recommend SQL Server) and give each user their own front-end copy with the interface. It's faster, safer, and far more stable.

A slow Access database doesn't mean it's outdated; it just needs a little care. With some regular maintenance and a few smart design fixes, your database can run as smoothly as the day it was built.

Need Help With a Slow Access Database?

We specialize in diagnosing and fixing performance issues in Microsoft Access databases of all sizes. Whether it's slow queries, broken forms, or multi-user lag, we'll assess your setup and apply proven solutions that make your database fast, stable, and reliable again.

Contact us today at (323) 285-0939 for a free consultation about your Microsoft Access database.

Answers To Frequently Asked Questions

Do you provide Microsoft Access programming services onsite in Atlanta

Yes. We serve businesses in Atlanta, GA and can provide remote or onsite Microsoft Access programming, repairs, and consulting depending on project requirements.

Can you upgrade our Access database to the latest version?

Absolutely. We offer complete Access database upgrades, including conversion from MDB to ACCDB, VBA code updates, and migration to SQL Server if needed.

Can you train my staff on Microsoft Access and VBA?

Yes. We offer customized training and mentoring for individuals or teams covering Microsoft Access, VBA programming, SQL Server integration, and database best practices.

What industries do you serve in Atlanta?

We work with a wide range of industries in Atlanta, including accounting, legal, healthcare, manufacturing, and non-profits.