Thank you very much for the quick reply and the effort. Yes, Northwind could be used if I knew how to trim it down and populate it with pertinent info (tables, reports, etc) for my needs.
Already unsuccessfully tried that. It is much too cumbersome forwhat I need and with all of the relationships, as you know when one unneeded table is deleted, obviously, it effects many others. If I knew how to do something that extensive, I could probably start from scratch on my own.wouldn't be asking for direction.I know how to find new templates, very few available in the category I need, again, none without editing/deleting some the tables. I understand that and agree, am all for and capable of learning but you have to admit that in practice, even though there are many more complex than Northwinds, it is not a simple, basic database/template.I don't know what else to say either. Was hoping for some help from the community that is apparently not available for those like me that are at such a basic level.
The community seems ready to assist others with advanced knowledge. Looks to me that mylower level needs are beneath those here and I chose the wrong place to ask for help.Thank you again very much for taking time to respond. I'm sorry you feel that way. We certainly help beginners. We were all beginners at one time. Speaking for myself, nothing gives me more pleasure than to see people ask basic questions, learn some more, ask intermediate questions, and sometimes just disappear:mission accomplished.The best way to start is asking concrete questions.
'Help me with an invoicing program' or 'Northwind is too complicated' is too vague for us to contribute something substantial.Since you like some aspects of Northwind: make a copy of it, delete everything except the tables, then delete all fields and tables you don't want, and post that design for us to comment on. Include a description of your line of business and how you intendto use the new application.
Microsoft Access MVP Phoenix, AZ. Database design is complex. It can be learned but it takes time and effort to learn it. Forums like this are best for asking specific questions and getting answers to them.Northwinds gives you a decent set of tables for an order entry system. With the forms, queries and reports that go with them. The basic structure for such a system consists of an Order table, an Order Details table, a Products table and a Customers table.An invoice combines data from all those tables to produce a report of the Order that can be used as an Invoice.So if Northwinds doesn't do it for you, then explain why and we may be able to help you modify it.
Hope this helps, Scott Blog: Microsoft Access MVP since 2007. You might like to take a look at InvoicePDF.zip in my public databases folder at:Note that if you are using an earlier version of Access you might find that the colour of some form objects such as buttons shows incorrectly and you will need to amend the form design accordingly.If you have difficulty opening the link copy its text (NB, not the link location) and paste it into your browser's address bar.This little demo file is really intended to illustrate how to generate a report (the invoices) as a PDF file, but it happens to be based on a simple hypothetical invoicing database. I should stress, however, that it is not intended as an operational invoicingdatabase, it merely uses that as a basis for its real purpose. Nevertheless it covers the main functionality for simple invoicing.
Ken Sheridan, Stafford, England 'Don't write it down until you understand it!' - Richard Feynman.
. Record: with this tool, you can have the details of all work that has been undertaken as well as the closed invoices and also the bank details of the payments made. Users can also create a cashbook for the record of the invoice’s status and amounts. Insert: users can also insert in their database all information about clients, employees, payment methods as well as shipping address. Printing: Invoicing and Quotating Billing offers a printing option. It allows printing quotations, cashbook, payment history, contacts/customer list, invoices by date, invoices closed, invoices unpaid, parts discontinued as well as parts list. Other features: users have the opportunity to email clients, to launch search for invoices and quotations and assign package prices to quotations.
Apart from that, they can also create a product stock list, Outlook compatible email, tasks and appointments.Pros. This software is fully compatible with MS Access database. You can export your data into MS Excel.Cons. Nothing to report.