How Long Does it Take to Learn Microsoft Access?

Like many aspiring data or financial analysts, you might want to learn Microsoft Access but worry that it will take too much time. In truth, Microsoft Access is relatively easy to learn, and professional classes only last a couple of days. Learning expert-level skills only take slightly longer than fundamental techniques. Of course, this depends on several factors. Keep reading to learn about how you can learn Microsoft Access and some resources to help speed the process along.

What is Microsoft Access?

Microsoft Access is a database management software. Access is part of the Microsoft 365 suite and is standard for business and enterprise users. Like Microsoft Excel, Access lets users view and manage data. However, Access is more powerful than Excel and can process more data at once. While Excel is appropriate for viewing and managing data in a spreadsheet format, Access is more suitable for managing entire databases. 

Access allows users to create several tables containing their own data that need to be tracked separately and connect those tables. These connected tables make up a database. And, just like with tables, users can connect databases to track relationships. Within Access, users can also query databases to find the necessary information. As with Excel, users can easily export reports from data within Access to create reports for printing and sharing with stakeholders. These multiple features included in Access allow entrepreneurs and businesses to gather large amounts of data, gain insights and take action on operations, projects, and performance.

Read more about what Microsoft Access is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Microsoft Access?

Microsoft Access is used to build simple database management systems where entrepreneurs and businesses can store large amounts of data. Users can create tables for managing data and can connect those tables to track relationships. The insights gained from these relationships allow businesses to acquire valuable insights regarding their financials, inventory and sales, productivity, and project management, among others. Databases also function for purposes such as keeping track of employee information or managing client/server forms.

When it comes to sharing data, Access makes it easy to compile data and format reports. Data converts into colorful charts and graphs, making this visualization of data helpful for presenting insights to stakeholders. Charts are also customizable to your needs, including interactive elements. Reports have a variety of options as well. They can be printed, exported to another file or program, or emailed as an attachment.

Access' simple interface and built-in tools make it an excellent resource for small businesses and entrepreneurs who may need more application-building experience. Access can also create desktop or web applications. Developers can create macros, build modules, and develop their own code libraries. Access is also helpful for larger companies that want to develop their own applications without the cost of outsourcing.

Average Time it Takes to Learn Microsoft Access

Professional-level classes dedicated to teaching Microsoft Access only last a day or two on average. Noble Desktop’s beginner Microsoft Access class lasts six hours and teaches the fundamentals of the program. The Microsoft Access Level II class lasts around the same amount of time and teaches advanced techniques. Thus, with professional instruction, an individual can become an expert in Microsoft Access in only a few days.

Without professional instruction, learning Microsoft Access can take a few weeks or longer. You’ll be working via your own motivation and what free tutorials and guides you can find online. While self-guided learning should be enough to teach you how to comprehensively use the program, becoming an expert will be more difficult. Microsoft Word holds many tips and tricks that the average user may not be aware of. Thus, finding tutorials for these features will be more difficult. Free online tutorials are also frequently outdated and possess errors. 

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Other Factors

How long it takes an individual to learn Microsoft Access depends on several factors. These include whether you attend professional classes or learn on your own and if you seek to learn beginner or expert skills. Your personal schedule and your history with other Microsoft Office programs, especially Microsoft Excel, will also play a role.

Self-Guided or Instructor-Led Learning 

Instructor-led learning is always faster than self-guided learning. An instructor provides structure to the learning process through guided teaching. They are also available to answer any questions and guide students through roadblocks. On the flip side, self-guided learning relies on an individual’s motivation and skill at finding the right tutorials and troubleshooting issues. This search takes up time that could be dedicated to learning. And lack of motivation can drastically slow down progress. Thus, self-guided learning almost always takes much longer.

Beginner or Expert Skills

Most people can acquire basic skills in Microsoft Access reasonably quickly. Beginner tutorials are easy to find online, making comprehensive learning simple to obtain for even self-learners. Advanced and expert skills will take longer to learn. But with professional training, these advanced teachings only add an extra day of learning. However, trying to find advanced or expert resources online for free will prove more difficult, extending your learning time. Thus, professional classes are recommended for learning expert skills and making the most of your time.

Your Personal Schedule

You may find it difficult to commit to the time demanded from in-person or online classes if you have a busy schedule due to family or prior work commitments. In this case, self-guided learning may be a better fit for you. Just be aware that self-guided learning occurs slower than in professional classes. Therefore, learning Access could take you weeks or months on your own, depending on the level of your motivation. Ultimately, everyone learns at their own pace, and there’s no shame in needing to take longer than someone else.

Experience with Other Microsoft Programs

Knowing how to use other Microsoft programs, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, is optional for learning Microsoft Access. However, the programs share similar menus and interfaces. Thus, having experience in one of these programs will familiarize you with Microsoft Access at the very first steps of your learning journey.

While Microsoft Excel and Access serve different purposes, they contain many of the same features. Through Excel, you’ll learn how to work with functions, cell data, and spreadsheets, all of which exist within Microsoft Access. Out of all the Microsoft Office programs, Excel is the one that will give you the largest headstart with Access. 

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

Microsoft Access can be somewhat tricky to learn. Individuals who have experience with spreadsheets will find the functions of Access simple to understand. However, the average person needs to gain such knowledge and may struggle with the program. Though Microsoft Access is simple enough to learn that most beginner courses do not require prerequisites, individuals with Microsoft Excel experience will find the process easier.

There are a number of free online resources to get started with Microsoft Access. These include introductory courses and tutorials on YouTube, Microsoft.com, and skill-sharing websites such as Udemy and Coursera. Through these websites, beginners wishing to learn Microsoft Access can do so with minimal cost. However, free resources are often outdated and don't feature expert techniques.

Those wishing to become experts in Microsoft Access to advance their careers will require professional training. Professional courses in Microsoft Access generally cost around $200-$300 and feature multiple levels, such as beginner, advanced, and expert. Due to the ease of learning Microsoft Access, these courses usually last only a day or two.

Read about how difficult it is to learn Microsoft Access.

Watch a Free Microsoft Access Online Course

If you are still deciding whether to dive into an entire Microsoft Access course, you can search for an online introduction to Microsoft Access through Youtube, Coursera, Udemy, and other skill-sharing websites. These free courses are usually short, lasting less than two hours. They often feature Microsoft Access fundamentals, such as how to create forms and tables and manage data. Some courses even teach advanced tips and tricks. 

However, many free courses teach older versions of programs. While most of Microsoft Access's features are consistent through subsequent iterations, newer versions of the program usually possess previously unseen features or place features in different locations. With free resources, it can also be impossible to verify whether the information is quality or correct. While free online classes can be valuable and cost-effective for pure beginners, they aren't ideal for professionals looking to learn comprehensive Microsoft Access skills to advance their careers.

Read about more free Microsoft Access videos and online tutorials.

Learn Microsoft Access with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

In today's busy world, live online learning can be a fast, engaging, and cheaper alternative to in-person classes. With live, hands-on training at Noble Desktop, Microsoft Access is easy to learn. Noble Desktop's classes are small, taught by expert instructors, and include free retake options.

Noble Desktop offers Microsoft Access classes at two levels. Microsoft Access Level I teaches beginners the fundamentals of the program. Students learn how to work with data and create tables and forms. Microsoft Access Level II teaches advanced techniques such as data validation, table structure improvement, and advanced reporting. Students build their own databases and learn efficiency tips and tricks. 

The Microsoft Access Bootcamp covers both Microsoft Access Level I and II. This class is ideal for beginners who wish to master the program in one comprehensive course. Students interested in becoming certified in Microsoft Access may want to attend the Access Specialist Certification Program. This course is offered through NYIM, an affiliate school to Noble Desktop, and combines Microsoft Access Level I and II with Access Certification exam training. 

Key Insights

• Microsoft Access only takes a short while to learn.
• You can master Microsoft Access in only a couple of days with professional training. 
• Individuals with busy schedules can learn Microsoft Access through self-guided learning, which will likely take weeks or even months.
• Expert skills take longer to learn than basic skills and are more challenging to learn through self-guided training.
• Microsoft Excel shares similar features to Access and can be a great place to start learning.
• You can receive comprehensive Microsoft Access training through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop.