Summary

Because they bring rapid application development to SQL Server databases, Access projects are a powerful tool for creating SQL Server solutions. The many Access wizards and builders for SQL Server databases empower Access developers who are new to SQL Server. The availability of these wizards and builders also help traditional SQL Server developers and DBAs, who want to extend the reach of their databases via Access client-side tools, such as forms and reports.

The good news for Access developers is that if you know Access forms and reports for Access databases (.mdb files) all that knowledge transfers over to SQL Server objects, such as tables, views, and stored procedures. This chapter highlights special form and report features that target SQL Server databases. The good news for the SQL Server development community is that Access projects provide an easy way to deliver benefits to the clients of your SQL Server databases. Access projects combine basic SQL Server database administration features with easy and powerful report and form development capabilities. This chapter focuses on form and report capabilities. If you have a SQL Server background, you will probably benefit from a close study of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 to get additional background on Access form and report capabilities.