Part I: Access Building Blocks
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Note
Access lets you create a report without first binding it to a table or query, but you’ll have no controls on the
report. This capability can be used to work out page templates with common text headers or footers such as
page numbering or the date and time, which can serve as models for other reports. You can add controls later
by changing the underlying control source of the report.
Throughout the rest of this chapter, you learn the tasks necessary to create the Product Display
Report (a part of a page is shown in Figure 9.24). In these sections, you design the basic report,
assemble the data, and place the data in the proper positions.FIGURE 9.24The Product Display report
Tip
As with almost every task in Access, there are many ways to create a report without wizards. It is important,
however, to follow some type of methodology, because creating a good report involves a fairly consistent
approach. You should create a checklist that is a set of tasks that will result in a good report every time. As you
complete each task, check it off your list. When you’re done, you’ll have a great-looking report. The following
section outlines this approach.