At what point does Excel max out as a "database"?

[BobD]

We really push Excel with respect to linked data, updates, etc. How can one
intellgently evaluate when we've pushed Excel to the point to where an
investment in a database (Access, SQL, etc.) is required? We have mission
critical activities where we can'ty afford to have Excel "break" because we
pushed it too far.

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Sean Timmons]

Not sure there is any specific point that one can give. It gets to be more
difficult as you add file links and formulas, and depends upon the complexity
of the formulas involved.

If you are looking at files in the 10MB range, and have multiple workbooks
linked, you're probably starting to look at Access.

If you are asking this question, it may be wise to go ahead and start using
Access. You can always drop query results into Excel whenever you need to.