ICDL Professional

DATABASES
Syllabus 6.0

Syllabus Document
Purpose
This document details the syllabus for the Databases module. The syllabus describes, through
learning outcomes, the knowledge and skills that a candidate for the Databases module should
possess. The syllabus also provides the basis for the theory and practice-based test in this
module.

Copyright © 1997 - 2023 ICDL Foundation

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form except as
permitted by ICDL Foundation. Enquiries for permission to reproduce material should be
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Disclaimer
Although every care has been taken by ICDL Foundation in the preparation of this publication,
no warranty is given by ICDL Foundation, as publisher, as to the completeness of the
information contained within it and neither shall ICDL Foundation be responsible or liable for
any errors, omissions, inaccuracies, loss or damage whatsoever arising by virtue of such
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© 1997-2023 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Databases - Syllabus - V6.0 Page 2 of 6

 Databases Module

This module sets out essential concepts and skills relating to understanding the concept of a database
and demonstrating competence in using a database application.

Module Goals

Successful candidates will be able to:

• Understand what a database is and how it is organised.

• Create a simple database and view the database content in various modes.
• Create a table, define and modify fields, and create relationships between tables. Enter and edit
data in a table.
• Use filters and queries to retrieve specific information from a database.
• Create a form to enter, modify and delete records and data in records.
• Create routine reports and prepare outputs ready for print or electronic distribution.

CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

1 Understanding 1.1 Key Concepts 1.1.1 Understand what a database is.

Databases

1.1.2 Understand that information is the processed

output of data.

1.1.3 Understand how a database is organised in

terms of tables, records and fields.

1.1.4 Understand that all database data is stored in

tables. Understand that changes are
automatically saved.

1.1.5 Know some of the common uses of databases

like: social networks, booking systems,
government records, bank account records,
hospital patient details.

1.2 Database 1.2.1 Understand that each table in a database should

Organisation contain data related to a single subject type.

1.2.2 Understand that each record in a database

should contain data related to a single subject.

1.2.3 Understand that each field in a table should

contain only one element of data.

1.2.4 Understand that field content is associated with

an appropriate data type like: text, number,
date/time, yes/no.

1.2.5 Understand that fields have associated field

properties like: field size, format, default value.

1.2.6 Understand what a primary key is.

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 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

1.2.7 Understand that the main purpose of an index is

to speed up search queries.

1.3 Relationships 1.3.1 Understand that the main purpose of relating

tables in a database is to minimise duplication of
data.

1.3.2 Understand that a relationship is built by

matching a unique field in one table with a field in
another table.

1.3.3 Understand the importance of maintaining the

integrity of relationships between tables.

2 Using the 2.1 Working with 2.1.1 Open, close a database application.
Application Databases

2.1.2 Open, close a database.

2.1.3 Create a new database and save to a location on

a drive.

2.1.4 Display, hide built-in toolbars. Restore, minimise

the ribbon.

2.1.5 Use available help resources.

2.2 Common Tasks 2.2.1 Open, save, close a table, query, form, report.

2.2.2 Switch between view modes in a table, query,

form, report.

2.2.3 Delete a table, query, form, report.

2.2.4 Navigate between records in a table, query, form.

Navigate between pages in a report.

2.2.5 Sort records in a table, form, query output in

ascending, descending numeric, alphabetic
order.

3 Tables 3.1 Records 3.1.1 Add, delete records in a table.

3.1.2 Add, modify, delete data in a record.

3.2 Design 3.2.1 Create and name a table and specify fields with
their data types like: text, number, date/time,
yes/no.

3.2.2 Apply field property settings: field size, number

format, date/time format, default value.

3.2.3 Understand consequences of changing data

types, field properties in a table.

3.2.4 Create a simple validation rule for numbers.

3.2.5 Set a field as a primary key.

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 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

3.2.6 Index a field with, without duplicates allowed.

3.2.7 Add a field to an existing table.

3.2.8 Adjust the width of column(s) in a table.

3.3 Relationships 3.3.1 Create a one-to-many relationship between

tables.

3.3.2 Delete a one-to-many relationship between

tables.

3.3.3 Apply referential integrity between tables.

4 Retrieving 4.1 Main Operations 4.1.1 Use the search command for a specific word,
Information number, date in a field.

4.1.2 Apply a filter to a table, form.

4.1.3 Remove filter from a table, form.

4.2 Queries 4.2.1 Understand that a query is used to extract and

analyse data.

4.2.2 Create a named single-table query using specific

search criteria.

4.2.3 Create a named two-table query using specific

search criteria.

4.2.4 Add criteria to a query using one or more

operators: = (Equal), <> (Not equal to), < (Less
than), <= (Less than or equal to), > (Greater
than), >= (Greater than or equal to).

4.2.5 Add criteria to a query to sort records in

ascending, descending numeric, alphabetic
order.

4.2.6 Add criteria to a query using one or more logical

operators: AND, OR, NOT.

4.2.7 Use a wildcard in a query like: * or %, ? or _.

4.2.8 Edit a query: modify, remove criteria.

4.2.9 Edit a query: add, remove, move, hide, unhide

fields.

4.2.10 Run a query.

5 Forms 5.1 Using Forms 5.1.1 Understand that a form is used to display, add
and edit records.

5.1.2 Create and name a simple form.

5.1.3 Use a form to insert new records.

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 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

5.1.4 Use a form to delete records.

5.1.5 Use a form to add, modify, delete data in a

record.

5.1.6 Add, modify text in headers, footers in a form.

6 Outputs 6.1 Reports, Data 6.1.1 Understand that a report is used to present
Export selected information from a table, query.

6.1.2 Create and name a simple report based on a

table, query.

6.1.3 Create and name a grouped report. Sort records

and calculate summary information like: sum,
minimum, maximum, average.

6.1.4 Edit a report: change arrangement of data fields,

headings.

6.1.5 Edit a report: add, modify text in headers,

footers.

6.1.6 Export a table, query output in spreadsheet, text

file, csv, XML format to a location on a drive.

6.1.7 Export a report output in pdf format to a location

on a drive.

6.2 Printing 6.2.1 Change table, form, query output, report

orientation: portrait, landscape. Change paper
size.

6.2.2 Print a page, selected record(s), complete table.

6.2.3 Print all records, specific page(s) using form

layout.

6.2.4 Print the result of a query.

6.2.5 Print specific page(s) in a report, print complete

report.

© 1997-2023 ICDL Foundation Ref: ICDL Databases - Syllabus - V6.0 Page 6 of 6