What is the difference between the Table which serves as a form to enter data into the Database, and the Database itself, or is there any? Every time I want to add to the Database, I have to open the LibreOffice App, then click on the icon which should open the Database, then click on Tables to get to the form to see previous records and enter more. Is there no way to open the Database directly and just start adding records without going through all this? I should really only have to look at the Table when I want to Edit the Table itself–not the Database! Thanks!
Hello,
First let’s start with Base. Base is a front end to a database. It provides tools to more easily deal with the actual database. You can create Forms which allow Table entries.
The Database itself contains the actual data - Tables. LO Base ships with a default database - HSQLDB embedded. Embedded means the data is contained in the .odb and can have corruption problems with larger amounts of data.
You need to open Base to access anything. However, you should have a Form created for your data entry. What it sounds as if you are doing is going to the Table view & entering data there. It’s OK to do but not the easiest way. It’s easy to create a form based upon a table. From the Form section, in the Tasks area, click on Use Wizard to Create Form... and select the Table or Query to base the form upon. Clicking Next will step through the rest of the design.
For more information on this, see the LO documentation located here.
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Thanks. Do I have to set the design as I enter each field in the Form or can I create the whole Form and then edit parts of it to look and act as I wish?
There are multiple methods of how an entry form looks and works. This can be done with the Wizard or you can create from a blank canvas. The Wizard allows individual fields, a table control (similar to the Table view) and more. Again, perusing the documentation & trying the Wizard (you can always delete an unwanted Form) is the best way to start. Forms can be modified at any point - even after using for months. There is a great deal more to Base if you dig into it. Look at the docs.
BTW - worth mentioning. Typically, you can double click on an .odb file & it should open up in Base. If not (unusual) your system is not set to associate .odb files with Base. This will save the extra steps you seem to be taking.
Once I get the information in a Form which works for me, can I not only delete the unwanted Form but remove the information from the Table and leave the Table as just a template, or would removing the information remove it from the Form as well? Thanks.
The Form is just a mechanism to display/enter information. The information typically comes from a Table or Query. So, deleting a Form simply deletes the Form.
Deleting information from a Table just deletes data. Deleting all data in the Table still leaves the Table structure in the database ready for more data to be entered.
So which is the real Database, the Form or the Table? I want to enter data in the real thing and not the doppelgänger. I also have formatting questions regarding how to make the information appear onscreen the way I want. Thanks.
@CoriSCapnSkip This question was already answered - “The Database itself contains the actual data - Tables.” Also, “The Form is just a mechanism to display/enter information.” So you enter data in a Form which is actually putting the data in a table.
You obviously have not looked at any of the documentation in answer link. 99% of database entry is done through Forms.
This forum is designed to ask a question and get an answer. The original question has been answered. If you have other questions ie: formatting (which is typically done in forms), please ask as new question.
If this answers your question please tick the (upper left area of answer). It helps others to know there was an accepted answer.
So which is the real Database, the Form or the Table? I want to enter data in the real thing and not the doppelgänger. I also have some formatting questions. Thanks.
Please do not respond with an answer. Answers should be used to respond to original question only. This should be deleted.