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Core Concepts of Accounting Information Systems, 13th Edition, by Simkin, Rose, and Norman
SM 9.1
Chapter 9
DATABASE FORMS AND REPORTS
Discussion Questions
9-1. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of database forms are as follows:
● Advantages
Data entry is less error-prone
Forms can include instructions for data entry
Forms can be more colorful and graphically appealing
It is usually easier to get from one field to any other field using a form
table.
● Disadvantages
Low information density for professionals
9-2. Most students would rather use a form, rather than a datasheet, for entering data into a
9-3. Most students would rather use the Form Wizard in Access to create a form. Using
performance.
9-4. A subform is a form within a form—usually a form that shows the “many” records in
9-5. Database developers customize forms for many reasons. One is the fact that the form
initially created by the Form Wizard will be basic, often presenting users with an unwieldy,
SM 9.2
forms is to make them more visually appealing—for example, by adding background colors,
graphics, and similar visual objects that both increase the overall appearance of the form and
perhaps its usefulness to end users.
9-6. Database reports provide custom information to database users. These reports can
be simple documents that only output the contents of a table, or highly complex outputs that
balance-on-hand field of an inventory product is below its reorder point), and computed
summary information (for example, subtotals, minimums, maximums, or averages) for selected
subgroups of records.
9-7. Most students will agree that it is important to design the format of a report before
creating the report itself. Reasons include the usefulness of (1) identifying what information to
simply to create “pretty” reports.
redesign.
9-8. This questions asks students if they think we will still use hardcopy reports in the
instantaneously in soft-copy formats.
9-9. This question asks students if they would rather use the Report Wizard to create the
authors created a report from scratch—and won’t make that mistake again.
9-10. A calculated field in a report is just that—a data value that the database system
computes from the underlying data. Examples include years of service on an employee report,
SM 9.3
9-11. There are several reasons why databases do not store calculated fields as normal parts
make sense, and doing so anyway just wastes space. It is also important to remember that
other resources.
9-12. This question asks why calculated fields (in Access) are created with database queries
rather than created directly in reports. In one sense, this is a trick question. One reason for this
to create other types of calculated fields is that it enables form or report designers to customize
outputs as user needs require. Another advantage is that queries provide an easy mechanism to
itself.
Problems
9-13. From left to right, the symbols on the navigation bar enable the user to access the first
9-14. Figure 9-9 lists the seven components of a typical database report (report header, page
components can vary widely.
9-15. This question asks students to explain the difference between each of the following
items:
a. A bound control displays a data value from an underlying record, or computations from an
underlying record, and therefore typically changes from record to record in a form or report.
b. In design mode, a database designer can change the design elements of a form or report,
including such items as foreground or background colors, font types, sizes, or similar
Core Concepts of Accounting Information Systems, 13th Edition, by Simkin, Rose, and Norman
SM 9.4
c. The ◄ symbol in a form’s navigation bar enables the user to access the previous record in
the underlying table. In contrast, the ► symbol enables the user to access the next record in
that same underlying table.
relationship.
e. A normal data field displays the value of the data for the current record in the underlying
database table. In contrast, a calculated data field displays the results of a computation based
on such data.
g. A report header is the information that the user typically sees on the first page of a report—
for example, the name of the report, the date the report was created, the time period for which
the report applies (e.g., which calendar month), and perhaps the name and phone number of
the report’s creator. In contrast, a report footer is typically a summary statement that
the last item of a report.
h. A report based on a table simply displays the data (or calculated values) from a single
underlying table. A report based on a query can be based on multiple tables, can also
include calculated fields, and of course, will display the information for only those records
Core Concepts of Accounting Information Systems, 13th Edition, by Simkin, Rose, and Norman
SM 9.5
9-16. This problem requires students to recreate the form in Figure 9-1. The resulting form
should look like the following:
a. Add a label in the heading portion of their forms that contain the term “Prepared by:” and
add their name. Print a single copy of the completed form.
(will vary with the student).
c. Add a new record to this form with his or her name as the customer. Then print a copy of
this form.
Core Concepts of Accounting Information Systems, 13th Edition, by Simkin, Rose, and Norman
SM 9.6
9-17. This problem requires students to modify the form they created in problem 9-16 to
include a subform similar to the one in Figure 9-7. The resultant form and subform should look
like this:
