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Quizzes > Computers & Technology > Programming & Software

Database Application Basics Quiz: Can You Store Millions of Phone Numbers?

Ready to see how a computerized database can store millions of telephone numbers? Take the test!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art quiz graphic for Microsoft Access basics showing telephone icons and database elements on teal background

Are you ready to discover whether a computerized database can store millions of telephone numbers? Our free scored Microsoft Access database quiz is designed to challenge your understanding of storing vast amounts of contact data, testing key concepts in indexing, table design, and query optimization. In this database application basics quiz, you'll learn practical tips for building scalable systems and see how theory meets real-world performance. Whether you've tinkered with an access database application or tried a playful trivia database challenge, now is your chance to shine. Ready to jump in? Start the quiz and prove your expertise today!

What is the maximum file size of a Microsoft Access database?
4 GB
Unlimited
2 GB
10 GB
Microsoft Access enforces a 2 GB maximum database file size, including system tables and temporary storage. This limit is defined by the Jet/ACE database engine and applies regardless of the number of records you store. To handle millions of telephone records, you must design efficient indexing and database splitting but cannot exceed the 2 GB file size. Microsoft Docs
Which data type is best for storing telephone numbers in Access?
Hyperlink
Number
OLE Object
Text
Telephone numbers often include formatting characters, leading zeros, or plus signs, which a Number data type cannot store reliably. The Text data type preserves all characters exactly as entered and supports input masks for formatting. Using Text ensures that numbers like 0123456789 remain intact and search operations treat them as strings. MS Support
Why should you choose the Text data type over Number for phone numbers?
It supports leading zeros and formatting characters
It enables faster arithmetic calculations
It automatically compresses numeric data
It enforces referential integrity
Phone numbers frequently contain leading zeros, dashes, spaces, or parentheses that must be preserved exactly. The Text data type stores each character as entered without altering formatting or dropping zeros. Numeric types would strip leading zeros and cannot represent non-numeric symbols. Office Support
Which field property enforces a specific phone number pattern during data entry?
Input Mask
Default Value
Field Size
Validation Rule
An Input Mask specifies a template that controls the format of data entered into a field, such as requiring (999) 000-0000 for U.S. phone numbers. It ensures each character position matches the mask and inserts literal symbols automatically. Field Size only limits length, and Validation Rules enforce criteria without formatting assistance. MS Office Support
What is the default data type created when you set a field as a primary key in Access?
Yes/No
Autonumber
Number
Text
When you designate a new field as the Primary Key in Access, the default data type is Autonumber. This creates a unique, automatically incrementing value for each record. Autonumber ensures uniqueness without user input and is optimized for indexing and rapid record retrieval. Microsoft Docs
Why would you index a telephone number field in a large table?
To ensure phone numbers stay formatted
To reduce file size
To speed search and lookup operations
To increase the insert performance
Indexing creates a fast lookup structure that allows Access to locate records quickly based on the indexed field. In large tables with millions of telephone records, an index drastically reduces search time. However, indexing adds some overhead on inserts and updates. MS Docs
What is the primary benefit of splitting an Access database into front-end and back-end files?
Enables multi-valued fields
Automatically indexes all fields
Reduces total file size limit
Separates data and application logic for performance and maintenance
Splitting a database places tables and data in a back-end file and queries, forms, reports, and code in a front-end file. This design improves performance over a network, simplifies application updates, and reduces corruption risk. Each user works with a local front-end while sharing the back-end data. Office Support
Which relationship type correctly models one customer having many telephone records?
One-to-One
One-to-Many
Many-to-Many
Self-Join
A one-to-many relationship links one record in a primary table (Customers) to multiple related records in a child table (TelephoneNumbers). The child table contains a foreign key referencing the primary key of the parent. This allows each customer to have many phone entries without data duplication. Microsoft Docs
Which field property prevents duplicate values for a telephone number field?
Validation Rule
Indexed property set to Yes (No duplicates)
Required set to Yes
Default Value
Setting the Indexed property to Yes (No duplicates) creates a unique index on the field that prevents any duplicate entries. This enforces uniqueness for telephone numbers at the table level. Validation Rules can check patterns but cannot enforce uniqueness across records. MS Support
Which view should you use to define a new table structure in Access?
PivotTable View
Datasheet View
SQL View
Design View
Design View allows you to define field names, data types, sizes, and properties for a new table. You can specify primary keys, indexes, and input masks before data entry. Datasheet View only lets you enter data after the table structure is created. Microsoft Docs
When your Access table grows to over a million records and search performance degrades, what is the best first step?
Switch to a SharePoint linked list
Remove all relationships temporarily
Compact and repair the database
Create an index on the search field
Adding an index on the field frequently used in search conditions speeds lookup by maintaining a sorted structure. This often yields the greatest immediate performance gain for large tables. Compacting helps with space but not lookup speed. Removing relationships can corrupt data integrity. MS Docs
What is a recommended maximum field size (in characters) for a telephone number stored as Text?
255
5
100
20
Most phone numbers, including country codes and formatting symbols, fit within 20 characters. Setting the field size to 20 balances storage efficiency and validation. A 255-character limit wastes space and may degrade performance in large tables. Microsoft Support
Which method is most efficient for importing large Excel datasets into Access via VBA?
TransferSpreadsheet method
Manual copy-paste in Datasheet view
Importing as CSV with FileSystemObject
Linked Excel worksheet
The TransferSpreadsheet method in VBA uses native Jet/ACE routines to import or export Excel data in bulk efficiently. It reduces manual steps and optimizes data conversion. Linking keeps data external and isn't an import. Manual copy-paste is slow and error-prone. VBA Docs
Normalizing telephone data to eliminate repeating phone types in the same table achieves which normal form?
Third Normal Form (3NF)
Boyce - Codd Normal Form (BCNF)
First Normal Form (1NF)
Second Normal Form (2NF)
First Normal Form requires elimination of repeating groups by moving them into a related table. Each phone number becomes a separate record in the child table with a foreign key to the customer. Higher forms address partial and transitive dependencies but rely on 1NF first. Wikipedia
To list each unique area code from a phone number field in a query, which clause is used?
DISTINCT
INNER JOIN
UNION
COUNT
The DISTINCT keyword in a SELECT statement returns only unique values for the specified field or expression, such as extracting Left([Phone],3) to get area codes. COUNT aggregates values rather than list them. INNER JOIN and UNION serve other purposes. Office Support
What is the recommended way to allow customers to have multiple phone numbers?
Use a multi-valued field in Customers
Add Phone1, Phone2, Phone3 fields to Customers
Create a separate PhoneNumbers table related to Customers
Store all numbers in one text field separated by commas
A separate PhoneNumbers table with a foreign key to the Customers table implements a proper one-to-many relationship. This design supports any number of phone records per customer and simplifies queries. Adding fixed fields or separators leads to poor scalability and complicates data manipulation. MS Docs
Which technique provides the biggest network performance improvement for large Access databases?
Embedding tables in forms
Turning off indexing
Linking to SharePoint only
Splitting into front-end and back-end files
Splitting the database places the data access logic and UI on the client machine (front-end) while storing only tables in a shared back-end. This minimizes network traffic and improves load times. Embedding tables in forms increases traffic. Disabling indexes worsens query performance. Office Support
What does a composite index in Access do?
Compresses indexed fields to reduce size
Ensures referential integrity across tables
Indexes multiple fields together for faster multi-field queries
Automatically creates indexes on all text fields
A composite index includes two or more fields in one index definition so that queries filtering on both fields can use the same index. This improves performance for multi-criteria searches. It does not compress fields or enforce integrity - those are separate features. MS Docs
Which data type supports storing international telephone numbers with plus signs and spaces?
Text
Currency
Number
Date/Time
The Text data type can store any combination of characters, including +, spaces, and parentheses used in international phone formats. Number types only store numeric digits and cannot preserve formatting symbols. Currency and Date/Time are entirely inappropriate. MS Support
Which built-in Access tool should you run periodically to reduce database file size?
Performance Analyzer
Compact and Repair Database
Database Splitter
Backup Database
The Compact and Repair Database tool reclaims unused space and repairs corruption by rebuilding the database file. It reduces file size and can improve performance on large tables. Backup simply copies the file. Performance Analyzer reviews design but does not shrink file size. Office Support
In a split Access database, which file contains the table data?
Backup file (.bak)
Back-end .accdb file
Front-end .accdb file
Lock file (.laccdb)
The back-end file (typically .accdb) stores all table definitions and data. The front-end contains forms, reports, queries, and VBA code linked to the back-end data. The .laccdb file is a temporary lock file and not a data store. Microsoft Docs
Why would you use ODBC linked tables in Access?
To enforce input masks
To embed data directly in reports
To compress the Access database file
To access and update data in external SQL databases
ODBC linked tables let Access connect to external data sources like SQL Server or MySQL, treating remote tables as if they were local. This enables real-time queries and updates on enterprise data. It does not compress the Access file or handle input masks. MS Docs
What role does the Microsoft Jet OLE DB Provider play for Access?
Automatically formats phone numbers
Allows external applications to connect to Access databases via OLE DB
Runs embedded VBA code
Manages replication settings
The Jet OLE DB Provider implements the OLE DB interface for the Jet/ACE engine, enabling external applications like VB or .NET to connect to Access databases. It does not handle data formatting, code execution, or replication management. MS Docs
Which SQL statement can you use in Access SQL View to create a new table of telephone records from an existing table?
UPDATE
INSERT...VALUES
CREATE VIEW
SELECT INTO
The SELECT INTO statement creates a new table based on the result set of a SELECT query, such as SELECT PhoneID, Number INTO NewPhoneTable FROM PhoneTable. INSERT...VALUES adds data to an existing table. Access does not support CREATE VIEW. Office Support
Removing indexes from a large telephone number table will generally have what effect?
Faster inserts but slower searches
Database corruption
No change in performance
Faster searches but slower inserts
Without indexes, Access must scan the entire table for each search, slowing queries. However, insert operations no longer update index structures, so they run faster. It does not cause corruption but degrades read performance. MS Docs
What benefit does page-level caching provide for large Access tables?
Encrypts data pages on disk
Buffers frequently accessed pages in memory for faster reads
Automatically reindexes tables
Backs up data pages incrementally
Page-level caching retains recently read or written pages in memory, reducing disk I/O and accelerating repeated data access. This is critical for large tables where disk operations are otherwise slow. It does not perform encryption or backups. MS Docs
What is the primary purpose of database replication in Access?
To synchronize multiple disconnected copies of a database
To compress back-end data
To enforce input masks
To create temporary datasets
Replication allows you to maintain copies of an Access database on different machines, work offline, and later synchronize changes. It is not a compression or formatting feature. MS Support
What is a pass-through query in Access?
A query that sends SQL directly to a remote database server
A query that only runs locally without network requests
A query that automatically indexes results
A query that compacts the database
A pass-through query sends the SQL command directly to the remote ODBC data source, bypassing the Jet/ACE engine. This can leverage server-side processing for performance. It does not operate locally or affect indexing in Access. Office Support
Which SQL function is fastest for counting millions of rows in an Access table?
Loop through each record and increment a counter
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM Table
DCount("*","Table")
Recordset.RecordCount after MoveLast
A native SQL aggregate COUNT(*) lets the Jet/ACE engine perform the count operation internally in a single pass, which is more efficient than VBA functions or recordset iteration. DCount and RecordCount involve additional overhead and slower performance. MS Support
What is the maximum number of columns you can include in a composite index in Access?
16
10
32
64
Microsoft Access allows up to 10 fields in a single composite index. This limit is set by the Jet/ACE database engine and helps balance index management and performance. Exceeding this limit will cause an error when creating the index. MS Docs
How does Unicode storage affect the space used by a Text field for phone numbers?
Each character uses 2 bytes of storage
Phone number fields are exempt from Unicode
Each character uses 1 byte
It compresses repeated characters automatically
Access stores Text data as Unicode, which allocates 2 bytes per character. A 20-character phone number will consume 40 bytes in storage. This ensures consistent wide character support but affects storage planning for large datasets. Microsoft Support
Which method provides the most control when programmatically compacting an Access database?
Enabling AutoCompact on Close property only
Manually running Compact and Repair UI
DBEngine.CompactDatabase method in VBA
Using MakeTable query
The DBAEngine.CompactDatabase method in VBA lets you specify source and destination paths and options for programmatic compaction within code. This approach provides the greatest automation and error handling control. AutoCompact on Close is simpler but less flexible. VBA Docs
How can changing your Windows regional settings impact an Access phone number input mask?
It can alter the display of symbols like commas and decimals in the mask
It converts phone text to unicode escapes
It disables input masks entirely
It forces phone numbers to uppercase
Regional settings affect the literal symbols in input masks, such as the separator for area codes or decimal characters. If the mask uses a region-specific symbol, changing settings can cause mismatches or format changes during data entry. Masks are not disabled but adapt to locale. Office Support
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand how a computerized database can store millions of telephone numbers -

    Learn the role of tables, fields, and data types in optimizing the storage of vast numbers of telephone records.

  2. Apply Microsoft Access fundamentals -

    Use the database application basics quiz to practice creating and managing contact tables and records efficiently.

  3. Analyze indexing and query strategies -

    Discover how proper indexing and well-structured queries speed up searches through millions of telephone numbers.

  4. Identify data validation and integrity techniques -

    Ensure telephone number accuracy and consistency by implementing validation rules and relational integrity in Access.

  5. Evaluate quiz results to guide further learning -

    Interpret your performance in the Microsoft Access database quiz to pinpoint strengths, address weaknesses, and enhance your database skills.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Data Type Selection -

    Choosing the right field type is key when a computerized database can store millions of telephone numbers. In Microsoft Access you'll often use a Text field (up to 255 characters) to preserve leading zeros and hyphens, for example "+1-800-123-4567". Always set a realistic field size (e.g., 20 chars) to minimize wasted space and boost performance (Microsoft Docs).

  2. Normalization Best Practices -

    Implementing 3NF (Third Normal Form) ensures your database application basics quiz designs avoid redundant data, so each telephone attribute exists only once. For instance, separate country codes into an adjacent lookup table with a one-to-many relationship to phone numbers. Remember the mnemonic "Reduce, Refine, Relate" to lock in normalization rules (Elmasri & Navathe, Database Systems).

  3. Indexing Strategies -

    Proper indexing on your telephone number field speeds up retrieval in a Microsoft Access database quiz environment by orders of magnitude. A single-field index dramatically reduces search time, especially when millions of phone records are involved: search time ∝ log₂(N). Monitor index bloat and rebuild periodically for peak efficiency (SQL Server & Access Indexing Guide).

  4. Handling Storage Limits -

    Microsoft Access databases have a 2 GB file size cap, so to ensure a computerized database can store millions of telephone numbers you may need to split front-end and back-end files. Link multiple backend files or migrate archives to SQL Server if you approach the limit. Splitting also aids multiuser access, reducing contention on the data file (Microsoft Support).

  5. Performance Tuning & Maintenance -

    Regularly compact and repair your Access file to reclaim space and optimize the database engine's performance, essential when handling huge phone lists. Use the "C.A.R.E." mnemonic - Compact, Analyze performance, Reindex tables, Evaluate queries - to stay proactive. Efficient queries (SELECT only needed fields) and proper use of parameters in your Microsoft Access database quiz scripts keep response times snappy (Access Performance Techniques, University of Washington).

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