Using Access to Modify Tables

• Modifying tables using the MS Access GUI is very simple. First, open the Healthy Gym Database.
• Click on the 'GymService' table once so that it is highlighted.
• Now, click on the set square 'Design' icon on the top left hand side of the toolbar.
• You can now make any changes you want to the table structure here.
• Try changing the name of the ServiceCost column to ServiceFee.
• To try a data type change, select '2' instead of Auto in the list next to 'Decimal Places under 'Field Properties' in the bottom Half of the screen. Changing the value next to the column name ('Data Type') will accomplish major changes.
• Go to the fourth row in the top half of the screen and type 'ServiceDesc'. Select 'Text' under data type.
• Under 'Field Properties', delete the '50' next to Field Size and type '200' instead.
• Now, click on the datasheet symbol on the left hand side of the top toolbar.
• A pop up will ask you if you want to save the table. Click on yes.
• You will see that all your changes have been implemented in the table.
• Now, click on the set square 'design' icon again.
• Click on the left hand side of the 'ServiceDesc' column and hit the delete key.
• A pop up will ask you for confirmation. Click yes.
• Now, change the name of ServiceFee back to ServiceCost by clicking on it, typing, using the backspace key and so on.
• Click on the cross on the top right of the window
• Click yes when the pop up asks you for 'save changes' confirmation

Screen Shot 6a: Modifying a Table using the Access GUI

Adding new rows to a table using SQL is fairly straightforward. The INSERT INTO command is used to add new information to a SQL table.