Automate Repetitive Tasks in Microsoft Access

Topic at a glance

When you set up a database, you want it to be as easy to use as possible, especially for repetitive tasks such as data entry. With Microsoft Access, it’s easy to automate tasks such as printing a report or displaying a message that lets you know when a product needs to be reordered. You can automate tasks by creating macros or writing Visual Basic for Applications code procedures. When you create a command button for a form by using the Command Button Wizard, the wizard writes a Visual Basic event procedure for you.

To complete the steps in this topic   you need to have Microsoft Office, Professional Edition or an individual copy of Microsoft Access installed. You also need a Products form and an Inventory report. For more information, see Create a Great-Looking Product Form, and Create and Enhance an Inventory Report. However, you can use the basic steps in this topic to add command buttons to any form and to create any macro.