4.
Click Test
Connection to ascertain connectivity.
The Microsoft
Data Link message box appears, indicating a successful connection, as shown
in Illustration 4.
Illustration 4: The Data Link message box
5.
Click OK
to close the message box.
6.
Click OK
to accept the settings for, and to close, the Data Link Properties
dialog.
The
.adp file is created, and the Database window appears as shown in Illustration
5.
Illustration 5: The .adp
File is Created ...
Having
created our project file and established connectivity to the pubs
database, we are now ready to begin our database diagram.
Create
and Navigate a Database Diagram
While we
are presently interested, for purposes of the hypothetical business need of our
practice example, in creating a diagram of an entire database, we have the
option at any time of generating such a diagram for any portion of a
database, as well.
1.
Click the Database
Diagrams button under Objects, as depicted (circled) in Illustration
6.
Illustration 6: Begin by
Clicking Database Diagrams ...
2.
Double-click Create
Database Diagram in Designer, appearing in the right pane, as shown
(circled) in Illustration 7.
Illustration 7:
Double-click Create Database Diagram in Designer ...
The
diagram design area opens, together with the Add Table dialog, as
depicted in Illustration 8.
Illustration 8: Diagram
Design Surface with Add Table Dialog
3.
Click the Authors table,
and, holding the SHIFT key down, click the Titles table. This
should select all tables.
4.
Click Add
(we can also add tables individually, as the Add Tables dialog
conveniently remains in place until we dismiss it).
5.
Click Close
to close the Add Tables dialog.
The
tables appear on the design surface, as shown in Illustration 9.
Illustration 9:
Auto-Generated Diagram (Zoomed to 75%)
Let's
navigate around a bit and explore some of the options we have for working with
the diagram.
Field
lists for each of the tables appear, with keys indicated by a small key icon. The
view of the tables we see is the Column Names view, which we can change
for any table / tables we wish to view differently, via the Table Modes
button on the toolbar, shown in Illustration 10.
Illustration 10: Table
Modes Button, in the Toolbar
6.
Click the Table
Modes button to expand it, as depicted in Illustration 11.
Illustration 11: Table
Modes Button - Expanded, Showing Options
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