With the table fully populated, it's time to make a data report. A report is a more presentable way of viewing data in Access. Since it isn't possible for you to run your machine every time you want to check the inventory data, you can simply create a report, print it, and pin it to your clipboard. You can get a quick insight of all your data in one go. MS Access has ready-made templates available for report generation.

Click on "Reports" in the Objects list in your "Database" dialog box. You will see two options enlisted. Double-click on "Create your report by using wizard" and the Report Wizard dialog box will open up, You can select the tables that you want to convert into reports by clicking on the Tables drop-down list. Since we have created only one table, our table is selected by default.

The fields will be listed in the "Available Fields" list. You can add them to your report fields by clicking on ">" after selecting the field name or on "»" to add all fields. You can also use "<" to remove a single field by selecting it or click on "«" to remove all fields from the report list. After selecting all the fields, click on "Next". In the next page, you can group your fields in the form of levels. By grouping your fields at different levels, you can categorize your purchases based on categories like date of purchase, type of item, manufacturer, or even price, You can also group them under more than one field and change the grouping priority by clicking on the priority keys. After selecting the grouping level, click on "Grouping Criteria". Click on "Next" [Figure 51.

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Here you can sort your data values in either the ascending or descending order. Select a certain field name and then click on "Ascending" or "Descending". This is helpful if you want the records to be listed from the lowest to highest price or the most recently purchased products.

Clicking on "Summary Options" will let you view additional information like the minimum, maximum, or average values. You can also get the sum of the values in the selected field. Once you have completed the sorting and summarizing of your table fields, click on "Next",
NOTE: It is not a compulsion to change these values, You can directly click on "Next". In this case, your values will be arranged based on the default criteria of sorting and you will not get any extra summarized data.

The next dialog box allows you to select the outline and layout of your text in the report. You can choose from the lsited options by clicking on the appropriate radio buttons. If you need to adjust the orientation of the page, then click on "Portrait" or "Landscape". By default, all reports are oriented in the portrait mode. Once you have finished making the adjustments, click on 'Next".

The second last step of report generation is the most exciting. Here you can select the color and the style of the report. Select an approriate template. Most of the provided templates add a professional touch to your reports. These are up to date with the current report styles that are used in formal and corporate correspondence. Once you have chosen your design, click on "Next".

In the final step, you have to name your report. By default, the name of the table is assigned to it. You can either preview the report or modify the report's design by selecting the appropriate radio button. Click "Finish" when you're done. Your report will be displayed on the screen. Taking a printout of the report is a simple procedure [Figure 61. Click on "File I Print". Make sure that your printer is connected and well configured. Click "OK".