importing from a database?

[Guest]

Hi
im a builder and i use word with an excel insert to create my invoices.
The excel sheet is added over the top of my letter and is used for itemising
the bill.
For example it would list materials, days of labour, plant hire etc. and the
relevant prices, with a total at the bottom.
Quite straightforward.
At the moment when im working in excel, creating the invoice, i just insert
the materials and prices as im going along, every time typing in an item,
checking what the correct price is, typing it in and working down the list.
What i would like to do is build up a database of materials/items and their
respective unit prices.
Then every time i do an invoice i could import this data across with a
single click!!
Ive had access mentioned to me and ive tried to find a simple solution with
the aid of help files etc...but it all seems so complicated!!
Could anyone point me in the right direction!!!

any help greatly appreciated.......Tony

 

[Guest]

Hi
so your saying on my default workspace that i use for the invoice,
i save all the materials and their prices somewhere to the right of the
worksheet
and then when filling in my invoice i put in 'vlookup' and it will give me a
selection of all the items ive listed on the right of the sheet?
sorry if i sound dumb but im a very basic user of excel.
"vlookup(code, range, 2)" all sounds new to me but im sure i can track it
down and get my head round it if im understanding you correctly!!!!

Thanks Tony