An office suite of Microsoft Office applications is quite expensive for the average user. The professional version, which includes Microsoft Access (database creation software), is even more expensive. StarOffice / OpenOffice is a cheap or free analogue of the office suite. Learn to create databases, tables and forms using StarOffice / OpenOffice.
Steps
Step 1. StarOffice is the commercial version of OpenOffice
There are several differences between them, but they are mostly cosmetic. The first thing you should do is download and install OpenOffice.org or StarOffice from the Sun Microsystems website.
Step 2. After you download and install the program, go to the Start menu -> All Programs -> Star Office 8 -> Star Office Base and press the Enter key
Step 3. This will bring up a window called "Database Wizard"
Step 4. Accept the default settings and click Next
Registering the database (done locally) makes it easier to use Writer and Calc.
Step 5. On the next window, accept the defaults and then click Finish
Step 6. This will bring up the “Save As” window
By default, the file is saved to the My Documents folder. Name your new database. For now, name it "MyContacts". Accept the defaults and click the Save button.
Step 7. Then the “MyContacts” window will appear, and on the left you will see four items
Tables, Queries, Forms, and Reports. The Forms item will be highlighted automatically. But first we need to create a table for our database, so click on Tables. We'll get back to forms a little later.
Step 8. To the right of the Tables icon, under the tasks, click on the Use Wizard To Create Table.. option
. " (Use the wizard to create a table …). This will bring up the "Table Wizard" window.
The wizard will guide you through the step-by-step process of creating your first database. On the right side of "Select fields for your table" you will see an option "Category". Click on "Personal". Under "Category" are sample tables. Click the down arrow and select Addresses. All fields for the sample table are displayed in the "Available fields" field. There are four buttons on the right. Click on the ">>" button. This will move all the fields in the Available fields box to the Selected fields box. Click on the Next button
Step 9. The Table Wizard will now proceed to the second step, "Set types and formats"
All selected fields will be listed under the "Selected fields" item. To the right of this you will see a “Field information” section. Each field can be formatted individually however you want. Click on the different fields to find out about the possible field types. For now, accept the default settings for each field and click on the Next button.
Step 10. The Table Wizard will proceed to the third step “Set Primary Key”
As the database grows, the primary key becomes a very important element. The primary key will speed up queries. For now, select the defaults and click on the Next button.
Step 11. The final step in creating your first table is “Create Table”
Accept the default value for the table name. In our example, the table is called "Addresses". Below you will see several choices of what to do next. Select the "Create a form based on this table" option and then click the "Finish" button.
Step 12. After that, two windows will appear
The first window is called “Untitled”, and on top of it will be another “Form Wizard” window. We will now create a data entry form.
Step 13. Again, the steps for creating the form will be displayed on the left
As before, accept the default settings and click on the ">>" button. This will move all the fields to the other side in "Fields in the form". Click on the Next button.
Step 14. This will bring up the Set up a subform window
Accept the defaults. We will not create any subforms yet. Click on the Next button.
Step 15. A new "Arrange controls" window will appear
The third button on the right is the default. Click on the fourth button in the "Arrangement of the main form" section. Then click on the Next button.
Step 16. The next step is "Set data entry"
This will set the data source mode for your form. Accept the default settings and click Next.
Step 17. The "Apply styles" window will appear
Accept the standard styles and click Next.
Step 18. After the Set name window appears, you will need to accept the defaults
Then click on the "Finish" button.
Step 19. After that, your form will appear, and you can enter data into it
If you don't like the way the form is laid out, you can easily change that. Here's how to change your shape.
Step 20. Make sure the Forms icon is highlighted on the left
Click on the 'Edit' menu and then select 'Edit …'
Step 21. After that, the form editor will appear, in which your form will be displayed
Click on any field and then drag it wherever you want. Don't worry about ruining your shape. If you make a lot of mistakes and want to start over, then close the form editor and, without saving your work, start over. It takes a little practice to do this, but once you get the hang of it, it will become much easier for you to work.
Step 22. Congratulations
You have created a database in Star Office. Step 23. Enjoy and have fun.
Advice
- If you make a mistake during the steps, remember that you can always click on the “Cancel” button and start over.
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StarOffice has excellent help.