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Create A Report in MS Access 2003 Using Report Wizard

Microsoft Access is used within many businesses to store and access information. You can also create a simple report easily using the Report Wizard.

Open your Access Database and click on Reports located under the Objects field on the left hand side.  On the top toolbar click on the New button to start a new report.

In the New Report window select Report Wizard and below that choose from the drop down list which query or table you want to gather data to create the report. In this instance I want to create a report about Tech_Company's Customers.  After you have the correct data selected click OK.

 

This next part of the wizard allows you to select the various fields from the table or query you selected.  This is great when you only want to create a report based on specific data within a table.  Highlight the information in the Available Fields and press the arrow button to move it into the Selected Fields.  Here I selected the customers First Name, Last Name, City, and Phone Number.  At this point you could select Finish, but let's use a bit more functionality of the wizard, click on Next.

In this window you can select to add grouping to various parts of your data.  Because I am demonstrating a simple report (additional tutorials on custom report writing are coming soon), just click on Next. 

Here you choose what order the data will appear in the report.  This is a customization you will need to decide on based upon how you wish to present the data.  Here I choose to sort the Last Name of each customer in Ascending order. 

 

This is where you will choose the layout of the report.  Once again depending upon how you wish to present the data will determine the layout.  For this report I choose Layout = Tabular, Orientation = Portrait, and I usually find it best to make sure to check the box "Adjust the field width so all fields fit on a page.  This ensures all the relevant data is on each page and not scattered on multiple pages.  Click on Next.

Next you will choose the style or appearance of the report.  Once again use your best creative judgement.  For this report I am choosing Bold.  Click on Next.

 

You are almost done!  Choose a name for your report.  If this is going to be a report you plan on saving and running from time to time, make sure and use a good naming convention so you and other database users can easily find the report and run it.  After you have named your report click Finish.

 

You will now see the results of the report you created.  From here you can print the report, go back and make design changes, or maybe add additional tables or fields.  If you are happy with how the report looks then save it and you will then be able to pull it up when you need it.

 

If you are not familiar with Access at all I would recommend going to the Roadmap to Access 2003 Training. 

Mysticgeek is the resident IT expert at How-To Geek and a huge rock music fan. When he's not writing about Microsoft Office, he's probably writing at his personal blog. This article was written on 05/16/07 and tagged with: Microsoft Office

Comments (10)

  1. Delores Lawrence

    I need to generate a report consisting of expiration dates for a set time duration. This report needs to run every 4 weeks and have the ability to notify me of the last user included in the last run report. How do I develop this report.

  2. mysticgeek

    Delores,

    From the information you provided, You will want to go with a Custom Report. Your best option for this is to use "Design View" in creating the report. This way you can include the Queries and Tables necessary and also control the design of the report generated. You will also want to create a Macro or Macro Group which will run a series of actions … various queries and/or reports.

    To have it run automatically every 4 weeks, what you can do is rename the Macro "Autoexec" This will run the Macro every time the database is opened. Then use Windows built in utility Task Scheduler to open and run on whatever date and time you specify.

    If you need more specific information just let me know. I can create a tutorial on how to accomplish these tasks.

  3. Andy

    Hi, I just took over administration of a program designed in MS Access several years ago. I have several questions, but most pressing is customization of several reports. I am trying to add text to one in particular that had the text surrounded by a quotes (a string I suspect). As I try to hit return to add text, nothing happens. Anyadvice on adding regular text to an existing string? Also, the program was created in Access 2003. Is it possible to upgrade to 2007 without losing functionality? Thank you in advance for your help.

    Andy

  4. aravindan

    Microsoft Office Access can't find the macro 'Macro1′
    the macro ( or its macro group) does'nt exit ,or the macro is new but has,nt been saved
    note that when you enter the macro groupname.macroname syntax in an argument ,you must to specify the name the macro's macro group was last saved under

    the above report message comes again again while running the report
    i am not able to get the printable view of the report

    try to clear the error ,,,,,,,,,,,,

  5. weiz

    Hi, I have to create a report displaying specific information. I dont know how to set a where condition for the records that are to be selected. I am using Microsoft Access 2003, please help me perform this task.
    Thanks

  6. Laura

    Thanks to who make this page. Alot

  7. mysticgeek

    @ weiz … are you going into Design View in the query related to the report?

  8. bes

    Hi
    I've created a report that sorts by a specific GPA number. I want all the data associated with that GPA number to show up on the page(s). When a new GPA number appears it should start on the next page and list its associated data and so on…..

    I have the report sorted by the GPA number but all the GPA numbers(associated data) are showing up on each page of the report.

    How can I push the GPA number to print by page only?

    thanks

  9. kan

    thanks

  10. CamTT

    Hi,
    I want to create a report based 4 different tables. I would like to seperate the report into sections for each table. Each section would show the data based on a query. Each section would require headers. What would you recommend is the best method of doing this? Sub-reports?


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