Select the Pages tab

Over the past few weeks we've examined two techniques for publishing Access database information to the web: Static HTML pages and dynamic web pages. Both of these techniques provided database administrators the capability to share the information in their databases with web clients. However, neither of these techniques allowed web users to manipulate the database itself. Previously, creating interactive database applications for the Internet required advanced programming skills and knowledge of specialized database access libraries.

With the release of Access 2000, Microsoft broke down those barriers with the implementation of data access page technology. These pages can be created in a matter of minutes through the use of a simple wizard and published on your existing web server. Once they're live, Internet users will be able to access your data and make modifications to your database through their web browser. One note before we get started... Data Access Pages can only be created using Access 2000 (or later) and can only be viewed by users of Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 (or later). That said, let's get started! We'll create a data access page that will enable employees in your Human Resources department to modify personnel records through their web browsers. As in our previous tutorials, we'll be using the Northwind sample database. If you haven't installed it already, follow these simple instructions.

Start the Data Access Page wizard

This tab is the fifth object from the top in the sidebar of your database menu. See the figure below if you're having trouble finding it.

Select the desired data source.

We'll use the wizard to get started with this topic. After you're comfortable with these concepts, you might want to experiment with the Design View creation method that allows you to customize the appearance of your page.

Select the fields to include.

The next page in the wizard allows you to choose the data source for the page. You'll be able to select any one of the tables or queries in your current database. We're creating a page for our Human Resources department, so select the Employees table.

Choose any desired grouping levels

In the lower portion of the same window, you will be able to choose the fields that appear on the page. Our HR department needs the capability to view and edit all of the fields in the Employee table. Use the double bracket ">>" button to move all of the table fields from the available list to the selected list and click the Next button. This process is illustrated in the figure below:

You may recall the grouping level concept from our MS Access Reports Tutorial. At this stage, you may select one or more grouping levels to organize the data on your page. However, be forewarned. The selection of a grouping level will automatically make your page read-only and remove the powerful interactive database editing features. Our HR department needs to modify data so we're going to click the Next button to skip this step.

The next wizard page allows you to optionally sort your data by one, two, three or four fields. Simply use the pull-down menus to choose the field(s) you wish to utilize. The "A->Z" button indicates that you wish to sort that field in ascending order. If you'd like to sort in descending order, simply click it to convert it into a "Z->A" button. We'd like to sort by the employee's last name and then use the first name as a tie-breaker if we have more than one employee with the same last name. Select these options as shown in the illustration below and click the Next button to continue.

All web pages need a title. The next page of the wizard allows you to choose one. After you've typed it into the text box, make sure the "Open this page" option is selected and press Finish. You're done!

Take a few moments to review your finished product. You may wish to compare it to the example below.