What's New in Access 2003?

With each upgrade of Microsoft Office since the release of Office 97, Microsoft Access has traditionally been the application that changes the least in the Office suite. And, while there have been enormous changes in some Office 2003 programs, such as Microsoft Outlook, Access 2003 may be one of the most insignificant upgrades in the history of Microsoft Office.

What's new in Access 2003

A new look and feel: The most obvious change to Access 2003 is the new 24-bit color scheme. The Windows XP operating system lets users change the appearance of their programs by selecting one of several themes. If you choose a new theme, Access 2003 will apply the chosen theme to views, dialog boxes, and controls.

Error checking in forms and reports: Microsoft Access 2003 automatically checks for common errors in forms and reports. Error checking points out such errors as when the width of a report is greater than the page it will be printed on, and two controls being assigned to the same keyboard shortcut.
Better security: Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses have wrecked havoc in corporate offices throughout the 21st century and continue to be a growing problem. Microsoft has drastically increased the security settings in Access 2003 by setting the macro security level so that you are prompted every time you open a database containing Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code in an Access database. Many databases contain macros and code-and while this new setting certainly increases security in Microsoft Access, most users will probably find it annoying. No problem-you can change the security level in Access to suit your own work environment and personal tastes. You can also automatically run macros based on whether they are digitally signed by a developer on a list of trusted sources.

XML support: eXtensible Markup Language, or XML has become the standard file format for exchanging structured data. Access 2003 includes enhanced XML support that allows you to easily import and export data to or from XML.


View object dependencies: Perhaps the most useful and welcome feature in Access 2003 is its ability to let you view information on dependencies between database objects, which can dramatically save development time and reduce errors. For example, before deleting a query you can find out which forms, reports, and queries in the database use the query. You could then either change the record source of the dependent objects, or delete them, before deleting the original query. Macros, modules, and data access pages are not searched for dependencies, however.

Propagating field properties: Yet another helpful feature! In previous versions of Microsoft Access, whenever you modified a field's inherited property, such as its formatting property, you had to manually modify the property of corresponding controls in every form and report. Now, when you modify an inherited field property in Table design view, Access displays an option to update the property of all or some controls that are bound to the field. What a time saver!
Back up your databases: Access 2003 has a new Backup command, so that you can easily create a backup copy of your databases before making major changes to them.

Improved sorting: You can now specify the ascending or descending sort order of up to four fields in the List Box and Combo Box Wizards.

SharePoint Services support: Microsoft's SharePoint Services makes it easy for users to collaborate and work together. Access 2003 can import, export, and link to information on a SharePoint Services list.

Make a local table from a linked table: Database developers sometimes use the information in a linked table to create a local table to improve the performance of lookup fields and controls. Microsoft Access 2003 now includes a command to make this a simple process.

Other changes: Here's a list of some more new features you'll find in Access 2003:

• New task panes have been added: Getting Started, Help, Search Results, and Research.
• Tablet PC support lets you enter data using your own handwriting if you have a spiffy new Tablet PC.
• Access 2003 is better integrated with the Web with its new Office Online tools, which give you access to templates, articles, and tips on using Access 2003.