View information on object dependencies  View information on dependencies between database objects. Viewing a list of objects that use a specific object helps maintain a database over time and avoid errors related to missing record sources. For example, the Quarterly Orders query in the Sales database is no longer needed, but before deleting it, you might want to find out which other objects in the database use the query. Then, you could either change the record source of the dependent objects, or delete them, before deleting the Quarterly Orders query. Viewing a complete list of dependent objects helps you save time and minimize errors. In addition to viewing the list of objects that are bound to a selected object, you can also view the objects that are being used by the selected object.

Propagating field properties  In previous versions of Access, whenever you modified a field's inherited property, you had to manually modify the property of the corresponding control in each of the forms and reports. Now, when you modify certain inherited field properties, such as Format and InputMask, in Table design view, Access displays an option to update the property of all or some controls that are bound to the field.

Back up a database or project  Back up the current database or project before making major changes to it. The backup will be saved in the default backup location, or in the current folder.

Importing, exporting, and linking to a Microsoft Windows SharePoint™ Services list from Access   Export the contents of a table or a query to a Windows SharePoint Services list, import the contents of a Windows SharePoint Services list into a table, and link a table to a Windows SharePoint Services list.

Make a local table from a linked table   Make a local copy of the structure or data and structure contained in a linked table.

Macro Security  Help protect against potentially unsafe Visual Basic® for Applications (VBA) code by setting the macro security level. You can set the security level so that you are prompted every time that you open a database containing VBA code, or you can automatically block databases that are from unknown sources. Additionally, Access uses Microsoft Authenticode® technology to enable you to digitally sign a VBA project by using a digital certificate. The certificate used to create this signature helps confirm that the macro originated from the signer, and the signature helps confirm that it has not been altered. When you set the macro security level, you can run macros based on whether they are digitally signed by a developer on your list of trusted sources.

Microsoft Windows® XP theme support  The Windows XP operating system offers you several themes. If you have chosen a theme other than the default, Access will apply the chosen theme to views, dialog boxes, and controls. You can prevent form controls from inheriting themes from the operating system by setting an option on the database or project.

Enhanced sorting in controls  Specify the ascending or descending sort order of up to four fields in the List Box and Combo Box Wizards in forms and reports, and the Lookup Wizard in an Access database. The sort page added to these wizards looks and behaves like the sort page in the Report Wizard.

Enhanced font capabilities in SQL views  Change the font and font size of text by using the Query design font option added to the Tables/Queries tab of the Options dialog box under the Tools menu in the SQL and query Design views of a query in both an Access database and Access project. These settings apply to all databases and work with the high-contrast and other accessibility settings of your computer.