BIS 360

Exercise #5
Interface Design
The following assignment introduces you to creating a simple interface using Microsoft Access. You will create
tables, forms, queries, and reports in Access and then use its switchboard to provide a user interface to end-users.
Make sure you follow the instructions below to create your database and application. Do note that the application
must work and the interface must be designed using effective design principles to receive full credit.

I. Tables
1. Open Microsoft Access; select create a new database using Blank Access database. Type EX5.mdb as the
name and save the file to your diskette.
2. In the window, double click Create table in Design view.
3. Create a student table with Field Names and Data Type as follows:
?? Unified_ID; Text Assign the Unified_ID as the primary key
?? Last_Name; Text
?? First_Name; Text
?? Major_ID; Text
4. Switch view to Datasheet View and save the table as Student.
5. Enter at least 5 more student records of your friends. Make sure to include your record and s0bubba:
Unified_ID
Last_Name
s0bubba
Jones
Your Unified ID Your Last Name

First_Name
Bubba
Your First Name

Major_ID
CIS
Your Major

6. Close and save the Student table. Dont exit Access. You should return to the main menu.
7. Follow the same procedures above to create a Major table:
Major_ID
Major
ACC
Accounting
CIS
Computer Information Systems
FIN
Finance
MGT
Management
MKT
Marketing
OTH
Other
Select Major_ID as the primary key.
If youd like to add your major because it isnt here, please do so.
However, please follow naming conventions.

II. Forms
1. Select the Forms object, double click Create form by using wizard. Choose the table where the objects data
comes from: Student.

2. Select all fields (>>); click Next and select Columnar.

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Click next and select an appropriate style taking effective design into consideration.
Type title: Student Information Entry Form; then select Finish.
Change View to Design View.
Drag down Detail. Make sure to insert some whitespace between Form Header and Detail.
Select Label (Aa) icon from the toolbox. Drag and create a label box in the space you just created above.
Then type: Student Information Entry Form. Format the label with a Sans-Serif font set at least with 16point size.
8. Format other labels if needed. For example, you need to remove the _ from Last_Name.
9. Make sure to design the form according to appropriate design principles.
10. Change View to Form view. Close and save the form.

III. Reports
1. Select Reports object. Double-click Create report by using wizard. Choose the table where the objects
data comes from: Student.
2. Select all fields (>>); click Next.
3. Double click Major to add a group level; then click Next; click Next again to pass sort order.
4. Select Stepped layout; then click Next
5. Select an appropriate style making sure it works with the previous style you have chosen. Click Next.
6. Type: Student Information Report as the title; click Finish.
7. Your screen will automatically move to Print Preview. Close Print Preview.
8. You should be on Design View. Continue to improve the format of your report here according to effective
design considerations.
9. Change View to Print Preview. Close and save the report.

IV. Queries
1. Select Queries object. Double-click Create query in Design view. Add both Student table and Major table.
Then close Show Table window. The tables relationships should be linked by Major_ID.
2. Select fields: First Name, Last Name and Major.
3. Click Click ! icon to run the query. All students should be listed.
4. Change View to Design View again. Click the Save icon and save the query as List All Students.
5. Highlight List All Students query; then click Design icon on the menu bar.
6. You are on Query Design View now; Type Computer Information Systems in the criteria cell under Major
column.
7. Click ! icon to run the query; all students with major in Computer Information Systems should be listed.
8. Return to Query Design View; then File Save As type List CIS Students; then OK.
9. Select Print Preview and then Print.
10. Using the Reports instructions, create a report for both queries. Name them: All Student Report and CIS
Student Report.

V. Switchboard
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Go to Tools | Database Utilities | Switchboard Manager Here you will create a Main Switchboard.
Click Edit | New | Text Type Input or Update Student Information Form
Command: select Open Form in Edit Mode
Form: select Student Information Entry Form. Click OK
Now you should return back to Edit Switchboard Page. Follow similar steps as above to create the
following menu items:
?? Input or Update Major Form
?? View or Print Student Information Report
?? View or Print CIS Student Report
?? Exit Student Information System
Close Switchboard Manager after completing the above tasks.
Click Form object. You will see the Switchboard object because a switchboard is a form.
Double click Switchboard to open it.
Change View to Design View then Change EX5 to Student Information System.
Design the switchboard according to effective design principles.
Save the design and then return to the menu (Form View).
Test all menu functions.

VI. Deliverables
Your report should include the following (All snapshots and printouts must be generated from Main Switchboard):
1. A cover page with appropriate information
2. The snapshot of Main Switchboard (print screen to Word)
3. The snapshot of Student Information Form (print screen to Word)
4. The snapshot of Major Form (print screen to Word)
5. Student Information Report printout (print directly from Print Preview)
6. CIS student Report printout (print directly from Print Preview)

* Sample screenshots to 2, 3, and 4 are shown on next page.