You can add new tables to an existing database by using the commands in the Tables group on the Create tab.

Create a table, starting in Datasheet view In Datasheet view, you can enter data immediately and let Access build the table structure behind the scenes. Field names are assigned numerically (Field1, Field2, and so on), and Access automatically sets each field's data type, based on the data you enter.

1. On the Create tab, in the Tables group, click Table.
   
   Access creates the table and selects the first empty cell in the Add New Field column.
   
   Note If you don't see an Add New Field column, you might be in Design view instead of Datasheet view. To switch to Datasheet view, double-click the table in the Navigation Pane. Access prompts you to save the new table, and then switches to Datasheet view.
2. On the Datasheet tab, in the Fields & Columns group, click New Field .
   
   Access displays the Field Templates pane, which contains a list of commonly used field types. If you double-click or drag one of these fields into your datasheet, Access adds a field by that name and sets its properties to appropriate values for that type of field. You can change the properties later, if you want. If you drag the field, you must drag it onto an area of the datasheet that contains data. A vertical insertion bar appears, showing you where the field will be placed.
3. To add data, begin typing in the first empty cell, or paste data from another source, as described in the section Copy data from another source into an Access table.
4. To rename a column (field), double-click the column heading, and then type the new name.
   
   It is a good practice to give a meaningful name to each field, so that you can tell what it contains when you see it in the Field List pane.
5. To move a column, click its heading to select the column, and then drag the column to the location you want.
6. You can also select multiple contiguous columns and then drag them to a new location all at once. To select multiple contiguous columns, click the column header of the first column, and then, while holding down SHIFT, click the column header of the last column.

Create a table, starting in Design view In Design view, you first create the new table's structure. You then switch to Datasheet view to enter data, or enter data by using some other method, such as pasting, or importing.

1. On the Create tab, in the Tables group, click Table Design .
2. For each field in your table, type a name in the Field Name column, and then select a data type from the Data Type list.
   
   Note If you don't see the Field Name and Data Type columns, you might be in Datasheet view instead of Design view. To switch to Design view, right-click the table in the Navigation Pane, and then click Design View . Access prompts you for a name for the new table, and then switches to Design view.
3. If you want, you can type a description for each field in the Description column. The description is then displayed on the status bar when the cursor is located in that field in Datasheet view. The description is also used as the status bar text for any controls in a form or report that you create by dragging the field from the Field List pane, and for any controls that are created for that field when you use the Form Wizard or Report Wizard.
4. After you have added all of your fields, save the table:
   
   • Click the Microsoft Office Button and then click Save, or press CTRL+S.
5. You can begin typing data in the table at any time by switching to Datasheet view and clicking in the first empty cell. You can also paste data from another source, as described in the section Copy data from another source into an Access table.

Create a table by using a template Access provides templates for commonly-used types of tables. With a single mouse click, you can create a complete table structure with fields already configured and ready for use. If needed, you can then add or remove fields so that the table fits your needs.

1. On the Create tab, in the Tables group, click Table Templates and then select one of the available templates from the list.
2. To add data, begin typing in the first empty cell or paste data from another source, as described in the section Copy data from another source into an Access table.
   • To delete a column
     
     Right-click the column heading, and then click Delete Column .
   • To add a new column
     
     On the Datasheet tab, in the Fields & Columns group, click New Field .
     
     Access displays the Field Templates pane, which contains a list of commonly used field types. If you double-click or drag one of these fields into your datasheet, Access adds a field by that name and sets its properties to appropriate values for that type of field. You can change the properties later, if you want. If you drag the field, you must drag it onto an area of the datasheet that contains data. A vertical insertion bar appears, showing you where the field will be placed.
3. Save the table:
   • Click the Microsoft Office Button and then click Save, or press CTRL+S.

Set field properties in Design view Regardless of how you created your table, it is a good idea to examine and set field properties. This can only be done in Design view. To switch to Design view, right-click the table in the Navigation Pane and then click Design View. To see a field's properties, click the field in the design grid. The properties are displayed below the design grid, under Field Properties.

To see a description of each field property, click the property and read the description in the box next to the property list under Field Properties. You can get more detailed information by pressing F1.

The following table describes some of the field properties that are commonly adjusted.