Microsoft Access Programmer In Whittier, California

Here are a few practical notes we share with Whittier clients when reports, imports, or shared use starts causing surprises. The goal is simple: numbers you can trust and screens that stay responsive. It saves a lot of back-and-forth on a busy week.

Start With One Clear Source For Each Report

Many report issues come from mixing saved queries, ad hoc filters, and copy-pasted versions of the same logic. We pick one source query per report, name it clearly, and make sure it returns the right rows before any formatting is added.

Tighten Data Entry Rules Where Mistakes Happen

Instead of trying to fix bad data later, we add validation in the form controls people actually use. That includes required fields, sensible defaults, and checks that prevent duplicates when the same record can be entered twice.

Imports From Excel Need A Repeatable Pattern

If you import spreadsheets, the fastest win is a repeatable import step that maps columns, cleans dates, and normalizes names the same way every time. That avoids the slow drift that shows up months later as mismatched totals.

Shared Use Works Best With A Split File

When more than one person edits data, a split setup helps. Each user opens a front file for forms and reports, while the tables sit in a back file or in SQL Server. It reduces conflicts and makes updates easier to roll out.