Microsoft Access 2010 Bible

Part V: Access and Windows SharePoint Services

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Figure 33.5 shows the linked SharePoint list displayed as an Access datasheet. The data in the

linked table is compatible with Access, and you can build queries, forms, and reports against this

data if needed. You could, for instance, build a billing system around the SharePoint calendar,

specifying when invoices are to be sent to customers and when payments are received. Although

the linked Calendar list only accepts data related to SharePoint’s calendar features, an Access query

could combine data from the calendar (event title, date, description, and so on) with information

stored in Access tables (sales dates, invoice amounts, customer addresses, and so on).

FIGURE 33.5

A linked SharePoint list appears much like any other Access table.

The calendar item you see in the linked table in Figure 33.5 is shown in SharePoint’s calendar for-

mat in Figure 33.6. Nothing about the calendar suggests that its data is shared with an Access

application.

Linking to a SharePoint calendar is a good example of tight integration between Access and

SharePoint users. People familiar with SharePoint are likely to know and understand the

SharePoint calendar feature. The ability to link to a SharePoint calendar from Access and to work

with its data like any other linked table is a powerful capability.

Many other SharePoint features, such as Tasks, Announcements, and document libraries, that are

similarly accessible to Access applications.