How to Create a Contact Management (CRM) Database in MS Access - Full Tutorial with Free Download

This tutorial will explain how to use Microsoft Access to create a working contact management (CRM) database with some basic features. Follow along using our free download of the database we created in this video: www.software-matters.co.uk/fre...
All you need to get started is a copy of Access and a beginner's knowledge of how it works.
Get more help and advice on Excel, Access or VBA projects:
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If you want to find out whether a bespoke database would be right for you, get in contact:
www.software-matters.co.uk/con...
Learn more about our work:
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Please see our previous Stock Control database with Free Download:
• How to Create a Stock ...
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MORE INFORMATION:
To follow this tutorial you will need a full copy of Microsoft Access. The video was made using Access 2010, however the process is very similar in Access 2013, Access 2016, Access 2019 and Access 365 (as well as Access 2007).
We'll be going as far as setting up the database tables, which traditionally would be stored in a so-called 'back end' database file, while forms, queries and report, which are not significantly covered by this tutorial, would be stored in a separate 'front end' database file. The tables from the back end are then 'linked' to the front end, so that it behaved as if all the objects were in one file.
In some places we have made the design deliberately simple in order to keep our relationships clean and the number of tables low. This helps those new to Access to get their heads around how to create the database, but for actual use, might cause problems. We recommend that you learn more about database design from other sources before beginning your project if you intend to use it for a real business.
Key topics to consider are: database normalisation theory; Inner, Left, Right and Outer Joins; Basic SQL (structured query language) use; Software Development Methodologies; UX (user experience) enhancement techniques; and of course, the very specific needs of your business, project or client.
All together, a broad knowledge of these topics will allow you to design your tables with enough foresight to make the setting up of the queries, forms and reports you'll need later as easy as possible. Plus it should make the system easy to use and less likely to be corrupted or crash.
Keep in mind that even if your CRM database needs don't fit very well with our example contact management database, or if you need an entirely different kind of system like an accounts database, the lessons in this tutorial can still apply.
If you need a stock control database not a contact management database, then see our previous tutorial: • How to Create a Stock ...
0:00 Introduction
1:08 Designing your Contact Management Database
6:56 Reviewing Your Database Design
8:48 Setting Up Tables and Fields
13:30 Establishing Relationships
19:52 Creating Queries
23:26 Other Access Features
24:25 Conclusion

[@MitchRuth]

I think you may have just saved me quite a bit of money.... thanks!

[@tonyrios2836]

thank you for your help!!!!!

[@randomloader897]

Thank you so much. I did not pay attention in my college class when it covered Access 2016, and my boss needs a system for referral customers. This has much much more than I need. I am going to modify it for our needs. This made my life A LOT easier. Thank you.

[@Software-Matters]

Glad it helped you. We are about to release a low cost complete CRM system that you can also customise, so let us know if you think you may be interested. With best wishes.

[@Software-Matters]

@Ross Poldark Hello! Yes, it did. You can see more information about it here: www.software-matters.co.uk/simple-crm.html. With best wishes from the Software-Matters team.

[@HUYTRAN-yh8jx]

like first. thank you so m much.

[@akashnandi7993]

is both are same as phonebook management system

[@alializadeh8195]

Thanks

[@Software-Matters]

You're welcome. Glad it was useful. With best wishes from the Software-Matters team

[@alializadeh8195]

@@Software-Matters Thank you again; please continue to making same videos.... 😉

[@lyndasimohammedi4043]

Hello, thank you firstly for the video, I am new in the computer field, I have an internship to do: create a CRM for a company where I do the internship with C ++ can you help me please, what are the steps to follow already? Thank you for answering me :)

[@Software-Matters]

Hello Lynda - sorry, C++ isn't our area of expertise.

[@GrahamJFreer]

Just a note of thanks to Nick (I think), for his patient and kind assistance, today.

[@Software-Matters]

Thank you, Graham. It was Nick.

[@mikedriver3084]

Very good thanks . One immediate question - one of the key actions in a Contacts database is to be able to access a particular record quickly. I assume there is a way in Access that this can be done?

[@Software-Matters]

Hello Mike - Yes, you can use the standard Microsoft Office binoculars function (or ctrl+f). And there is also a search area at the bottom of the screen in the later versions of Access. When we develop applications for people in Access, we also include some more customised, user-friendly search facilities.

[@smorisch]

Hi MIke, I develop search forms that open up customer forms. Connect with me if you still need help with this.

[@alializadeh8195]

Please improve next video's quality and zoom to section you're working on ...

[@jozsefolasz8702]

Warning. This tutorial is the same as the others. It explains the relations very well . But, It doesn't teach you, how to edit such related tables. So it is a teaser. It's totally useless.

[@Software-Matters]

Hello Jozsef. We'd be interested to know what sort of edits you mean and what you would have liked it to cover that it didn't. We may be able to create a new video covering what you are looking for. With best wishes The Software-Matters team.