How to Create Relationship in MS Access
- George Apostolov
How to Create Relationship in MS Access: step-by-step guide
Open the database file where you want to create relationships between tables.
Go to the 'Database Tools' tab in the ribbon.
Click on 'Relationships'.
Select the tables you want to relate.
Click 'Add Selected Tables'.
Drag the primary key field from the parent table and drop it onto the corresponding field in the child table.
The 'Edit Relationships' dialog box appears. Verify the fields being related are correct.
Select 'Enforce Referential Integrity' to ensure that you cannot enter a value in the child table that doesn't exist in the parent table.
Click 'Create' to save the relationship.
Save the relationships by clicking 'Save'.
Quick answer: To create relationships in MS Access, open your database, navigate to the Database Tools tab, and click Relationships. Select and add your tables, drag the primary key from the parent to the child table, verify the fields, enforce referential integrity, and click Create before saving.
About this tutorial
Establish table connections in the app by linking primary and foreign keys, enforcing referential integrity, and saving your layout. This guide shows how to create Relationship in MS Access in 10 steps, starting with "Open the database file where you want to create relationships between tables" and finishing with "Save the relationships by clicking 'Save'". The interactive demo above is a click-through copy of the real product interface, so you can rehearse each step before doing it in your own account.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps does it take to create Relationship in MS Access?
10 steps. Each one is listed in order above, and the demo highlights exactly where to click.
Can I try it without changing my own account?
Yes. Clicking through the demo doesn't touch your data or settings. Once you know the flow, repeat it in your own workspace.
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