Maintaining Database Integrity Using Data Macros In Microsoft Access

Abstract

The introduction of Data Macros in Microsoft Access 2010 addresses a major shortcoming of Access in enforcing business rules associated with a database application. Specifically, data macros remove the onerous “coordination” across data entry/update forms touching a base table in order to enforce semantic integrity constraints. More importantly, similar to triggers in SQL, Access data macros allow users to update tables by direct datasheet edits or explicit SQL update while enforcing that any update violating an integrity constraint is rejected. This paper categorizes semantic integrity constraints and presents the approach to implement each of the five categories in Microsoft Access using data macros.