Q: I had to quit my first lesson early. How do I get back into the database so I can finish up?

A: Start Access as described in the lesson. Then, click the File menu and choose Open. Make sure the Look In field at the top of the dialog box says My Documents. Then, just double-click the splat file to open the database. When the splat database opens, you should see the Database window. Click the Tables tab in the Database window. Then, double-click the Customers table to open the table in Datasheet view.

Q: When I'm working with my table, how do I switch from Datasheet view to Design view and back again?

A: Click the View menu at the top of your screen. Then, choose Design view. To switch back to Datasheet view, click the View menu again and choose Datasheet View.

Q: Somehow, Access beat me to the punch and saved my table with the name Table 1. How do I change the name from Table 1 to Customers?

A: Click the Tables tab in the Database window. Right-click on the name of the table you wish to change. A small menu will pop up alongside the table name. Left-click the Rename command on this small menu and Access will permit you to change the name.

Q: I left out a field and now I'm staring at the table in Datasheet view, unable to complete my first record. Is it possible for me to add a new field to the Customer table?

A: Certainly! To add a field to the table you're staring at right now, just do the following:

1. Click the View menu and then choose Design View.
   
   
2. Click once in the row that should sit below the new field.
   
   
3. Click the Insert menu and choose Rows.
   
   
4. Click in the Field Name column and type a name for the field.
   
   
5. Click in the Data Type column and select an appropriate data type for the new field.
   
   
6. Click in the Description column and type a description of the information this field will contain.
   
   
7. If necessary, set field properties for the new field in the bottom part of the window.