Introduction to Databases: LibreOffice Base Tutorial

Database tutorial explaining how to create tables, forms, queries and reports in the free application LibreOffice Base. Includes information on primary keys, setting up table relationships, working with sub-forms, editing list boxes and combo boxes on forms, and more.

LibreOffice can be downloaded for Windows, macOS and Linux from:

The Java Runtime Environment (that you may also need to install) can be freely downloaded from:

If you enjoy this video, you may find useful my spreadsheet tutorials:

Spreadsheets #1: Introduction:

Spreadsheets #2: Absolute & Relative Cell Addresses:

Spreadsheets #3: IF Statements:

Or my HTML & CSS tutorials:

Introduction to HTML:

Introduction to CSS:

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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Database objects
02:56 LibreOffice Base
04:40 Tables
05:30 Primary keys
10:25 Relationships
16:47 Forms
17:00 Sub-forms
20:31 Queries
25:00 Reports
28:59 Wrap

#Databases #LibreOfficeBase #Tutorial #ExplainingComputers

[TheMack]

I really like that you showed the final result first, instead of starting from scratch directly. It gives an insight of what to expect from the tutorial. Excellent!

[wrdguy]

Tremendous. Most people don't know why they need a database, until they do👍🏻

[SeymourClearly]

I’m a database enthusiast, I find so many uses for them in my business. I didn’t realise that Libre office had this powerful a relational database so will look at it, there are so many options in the design and setup that I didn’t know existed. This is so powerful, and for free. Thanks Chris.

[almatematica]

It’s a thing, Chris, you always save me. You see, here in Argentina we are not going through a good economical time. And I upgraded my 12 years old computer following your videos to the letter. It works wondefully now - and I became a fan of Linux Mint. And now that I’m just starting with data bases, there came your video!

I cannot begin to tell you how thankfull and how much I enjoy your channel. I’m of the ones who never write, but this time I just had to do it. Greetings!!

[Rbourk]

A long time ago I worked in an office obsessed with very complex and regularly broken spreadsheets. I suggested using the database instead but they gave me a blank look when I suggested they migrate it all to a database. They said no one would understand it, and the dumb ‘we don’t work like that’! I didn’t stay there for long, it just broke my heart after enduring watching them for hours trying to constantly fix broken field relationships in their excessively complex, critical spreadsheets. Loved this video ❤️.

[saucerbob]

Amazing. 35 years ago I started database design and programming using character based RDMS (this after an aircraft maintenance stint in the RAF, then emigrating to Canada to programming aircraft simulators). Retired now to tinkering with my SBCs and all things LINUX. Now, after pondering it for a while, I can renew my interest and create databases again. Wow, something else to keep me busy. Keep up the good work Chris.

[seireiart]

I can't believe database were that easy (I said that because I studied that in university and I just got super confused in the process).
Your explanation was spot on and I understand everything here...
Looking forward to what's next :DD

[michaelc]

Such a simple, yet powerful, database seems like quite a Paradox. Borland would be proud.

[awksedgreep]

DBA for 25 years. This reminds me of the old dBase IV days in college. So effective with so little work required to be productive. Fun video.

[lesliedeana]

Amazing! Just how many times you read my mind on what I want to learn or enhance just what I need each week! Thank you!

[mhackr]

Another Sunday!

With it, a very practical and useful explanation of databases. I couldn't imagine a better or more effective way to explain such an extremely complicated subject while touching on so many aspects.

Designing, building, populating, querying, reporting, UI... And more all in one. Great video!

[Uniblab]

Thanks, Chris. This is a very good introduction to Base. I've played with it in the past to inventory trading cards. Turns out I was doing a lot of it right but this video takes it a step further for me. This video is better than any tutorial I've come across on YouTube. Regards.

[silurust]

very good intro. one can do every step on one's own computer while watching the video.
minor comment to the first example: supplier names are best identified with an id as well, as strings are more error-prone, and names can change.

[ridefast]

Hi Chris - this is where your channel excels. (!). A useful set of introductions to things I will probably want to do one day. Thumbs up.

[BilliesCraftRoom]

As a visual learner, this was a wonderful video. Making everything and going through step by step. I'm going to need to re-watch it a few times to fully understand, but it's really helpful and well explained. Thanks for sharing this.

[jimlynch]

Thank you for this enlightening presentation. I worked for a while as a database admin long before LibreOffice or OpenOffice. I was vaguely aware that LO had a database but never looked at it seriously. Well, never actually looked at it at all. I'm very impressed with how simple, yet complete it is.

[MrThedennisblack]

I just started the video, but I can’t tell you how excited I am that you made this! I’ve been wanting to learn about databases and you are the perfect person to learn the basics from!

[darlakim]

Thank you, Chris, for another excellent video. I started my career as a relational database developer long before Windows existed. I wish you had been teaching back then, but of course you were also a kid…lol. At least your viewers today can learn a lot from you about a topic that’s still relevant today as it was decades ago. I hope you continue this series and introduce no-sql databases, and compare, contrast, and show when, how, and why both are used today in cloud computing. Thanks again for yet another excellent video!

[bramfran]

I didn't even know that you can setup a database through LibreOffice with rich GUI, smashed the like button right after the intro!

[offspringfan]

Pretty cool from Chris to post this video, as Base is the only LibreOffice application I don't use.