The document provides information on creating and working with databases in OpenOffice Base. It discusses how data is organized in tables with records and fields, and the tools available in the Base window. It also provides steps for creating a new database or opening an existing one, creating tables using a wizard or design view, and creating forms using the form wizard to customize how data is entered and displayed.

1. Creating a Database

2. OpenOffice Base
 Base provides a powerful set of tools for:
• Entering and updating information
• Deleting information
• Sorting data
• Searching for specific data
• Creating reports
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3. OpenOffice Base (continued)
 Forms
• Designed to simplify data entry process by making
screen-based report look like a printed form
• Data can be viewed one record at a time
• Allow customization of the way records are
displayed by:
 Selecting particular fields
 Specifying field order
 Adding descriptive field labels
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4. How is data organized in a
database?
 Base creates relational databases
• Data is organized in easy-to-visualize tables
• Can contain more than one table
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5. How is data organized in a
database? (continued)
 Components of a table
• Records
 Contain fields of data about a single entity
• Fields
 Contain single fact that describes the record
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6. How is data organized in a
database? (continued)
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7. What’s in the Base window?
 Use Database Wizard to:
• Search for an existing file
• Create a new database
• Open an existing database
 Data can be displayed and manipulated in
many different ways (unlike documents and
spreadsheets)
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8. What’s in the Base window?
(continued)
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9. What’s in the Base window?
(continued)
 Use tools in Database Objects list to
create, modify, and display data
• Tables
• Queries
• Forms
• Reports
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10. How do I create a new database or
open an existing database?
To create a  First, save an empty database
database  Then, specify structure of tables,
records, and fields
To open an  Select name of database from
existing database Open an existing database file
option in Database Wizard
window, or
 Use Open button on Base toolbar
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11. How do I create a new database or
open an existing database? (continued)
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12. How do I create a table using a
Wizard?
 After creating a new database
• Select Tables in Database Object list
• Click Use Wizard to Create Table
 Table Wizard
• Helps you create fields correctly
• Has four steps
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13. How do I create a table using a
Wizard? (continued)
Table Wizard Steps
Step 1  Click Business or Personal option to
display sample tables; select appropriate
type
 Choose minimum number of fields that
describe the records in your database
 Add or remove fields as needed
Step 2  Modify field names, formats, and order
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14. How do I create a table using a
Wizard? (continued)
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15. How do I create a table using a
Wizard? (continued)
Table Wizard Steps
Step 3  Let Base create the primary key (field that
uniquely identifies each record) or select
your own primary key
 Each table is also assigned its own primary
key
Step 4  Begin to enter data; make sure Insert data
immediately option is selected
 Name the table (not necessarily same as
name for the database)
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16. How do I create a table using a
Wizard? (continued)
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17. How do I create a table using a
Wizard? (continued)
 When the Wizard is finished:
• Completed table is displayed and ready for data
entry
 Title of each field displays at top of each column
 First blank record appears as first row of fields
• Table is saved along with entire database
 If saving to floppy disk, leave disk in drive until Base
window closes (to avoid corrupting the file)
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18. How do I create a table using a
Wizard? (continued)
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19. How do I enter and edit data in a
table?
 Data for each entry becomes one record, or
row, in the table
 An empty record always displays at the
bottom of the table
 Enter data in a consistent manner
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20. How do I enter and edit data in a
table? (continued)
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21. How do I enter and edit data in a
table? (continued)
To edit data  Click cell containing data
 Use left-arrow and right-arrow keys to
move insertion point within field
 Use Backspace and Delete keys to
delete text to left/right of insertion point
To delete an  Right-click gray box to left of row
entire record containing that record
 Click Delete rows on shortcut menu,
then click Yes button
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22. How do I create a table in Design
View?
 If sample tables in Table Wizard don’t
suffice, create your own table using Design
View
• Requires more planning
• Requires that you specify a field type for each field
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23. How do I create a table in Design
View? (continued)
 Field types determine what kind of data can
be entered: Text, Memo, Number, Date/Time,
Yes/No
 When Base defines the primary key, an ID
field is created
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24. How do I create a table in Design
View? (continued)
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25. How do I create a form using a
Wizard?
 Form Wizard
• Assists in design of an on-screen form in which
you can enter and manipulate data for each record
of a database
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26. How do I create a form using a
Wizard? (continued)
 Select fields
• Select all fields
• Select individual fields
• Remove fields
 Select subforms
• Add subforms to show related data from other
tables and queries
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27. How do I create a form using a
Wizard? (continued)
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28. How do I create a form using a
Wizard? (continued)
 Select layouts
• Columnar-Labels Left
• Columnar-Labels on Top
• As Data Sheet
• In Blocks-Labels Above
 Apply styles
• Determines font, font color, and background of the
form
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29. How do I create a form using a
Wizard? (continued)
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30. How do I create a form using a
Wizard? (continued)
 Name the form
 Data entry
• Enter new data or modifying existing data
• Actions can be restricted
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31. How do I create a form using a
Wizard? (continued)
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32. How do I create a form using a
Wizard? (continued)
 Form design and layout can be modified
• Move a label and associated data field
• Delete a label and data field
• Edit a label
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33. Summary
 How data is organized in a database
 Components of the Base window
 Creating a new database; opening an existing
one
 Creating a table using a Wizard
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34. Summary (continued)
 Entering and editing data in a table
 Creating a table in Design View
 Creating a form using a Wizard
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