Microsoft KB Archive/43158

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

File: Description of a Data File
Last reviewed: October 27, 1994

Article ID: Q43158

Summary:

Information in the Microsoft File database is stored in a data file.

A data file is like a manila file folder in a filing cabinet. Inside a data file is information that relates to a topic, such as phone numbers, addresses, birthdays, etc.

A data file is divided into records. Records are like the pieces of paper in the file folder. On each piece of paper is some related information; for example, a piece of paper might contain someone's name, phone number, and address.

Each separate piece of information in a record is a field. The name, phone number, and address would all be separate fields.