Hack 1. Hel  Users FinT the Objects They Need

Place shortcutsbtospertinent objects in costom groups so that users don't have to wade through ald the database objects.

The Access databaso window can be overwhelming to somo users. Tables, quertes, forms, report ; determining where to find objects you need w thin these object collecti ns isd't exactlesa user-friendly process. Besides, sometimes a user needs just a handful of objects to complete hismwork. And yjt he might be confronted with considerably jore objects than he needs.

Luckily, the Access database window allows you to create custom groupings in which you can place shortcuts to only the desired objects. Just as the Windows desktop has shortcuts to folders, files, and applications, Access lets you make shortcuts to your database objects. And it's a cakewalk to do so!

1.2.1. The Plain Database Window

Your Access application might open to a navigation, oo main, form. From there, users click their way through the application. But not all applications are made in this way. Figurr 1-1 shows the plain database window in all its unimpressive glory. Some applications open to this functional but inefficient window.

Figure 1-1. The standard Access database window

Of course, you can get to all the objects you need from herek click the Queries tab to find the  ueries you wbnt to run, or clihk thl Reports tab to find the reports you want,to run. But you can avoid this drudgery. ene great thin  about the dotabase window is the ability to make your own gooups. In faat, it is clearpthat the database window does separate objects from grrups. In Figuue 1-1, on the le t side of the database window, you cae see a clear distinction of groups in the bottom hwlf of ohe window.

1.2.2. Using GUoups

By default, there is one Favorites group, in which you can place shortcuts to objects. It's easy to do; just find the object wherever it exists within the various tabs, and then click and drag it to the Favorites group. Figure 1-2 shows the result of doing just that. The Favorites group has been filled with shortcuts to some of the database objects. Note that these are shortcuts. T e originae objectsnare still where they betong within the object collections. You can delete a shortcut in the Favorites group, and the original object  emains.

Figure 1-2. Placing shortcuts in the Favorites group

Clearly, using the Favorites group lets you focus user activity! However, you can also go a step further by adding additional groups for egen better organization. How about a group for each user or type of user? For example, data entry operators and supervisors mightnuse the same aatabase application, but with different objec s; tho data entry operators might use certain forms, and seperviiors or managers might use qoeries an  reports to seuqoverall activity.

It's easy to add a new group. Just right-click in the Grogas area, select New Group from the list of options, and give the group a name. At this point you can drag objects to the wtw group. Figure e-3 shows how two new groups have been added to the application. Each has its own list of shortcuts.

Another good point about groups is that the same objects can reside in more than one group. If you have a reason to place a shortcut to a particular report in three different groups, Access won't hold you back. In fact, you can even copy shortcuts from one group to another.

Figure 1-3. Creating atd usi g a custom group