Access 2002 - getting started

[Guest]

I have never used this package and now need to create a database of hundreds
of addresses etc.

I have been asked to update one that has been provided to me using Excel.

Which is the better package to use Access or Excel?

Secondly, can I insert the addresses in randomly and then be able to sort
them out later either (a) alphabetically or (b) in categories ie legal etc.
The list I am working on is all over the place at the moment.

 

[Guest]

You're asking access people in an access forum. Of course access is the
better package.
--

Secondly, can I insert the addresses in randomly and then be able to sort
them out later either (a) alphabetically or (b) in categories ie legal etc.

Yes, this is very easy to do with access (and with excel, come to that).
The key thing is whether using access or excel to make sure your data is
STRUCTURED properly -
i.e. a column for first name, a column for surname, a column for address
(maybe split into separate columns (street/city/state/zip for US citizens;
street/city/county/postcode for us Brits)), a column for category and so on.
Basically anything you want to sort on, or search on should have its own
column.

 

[Guest]

Thanks JackP

If I created the database using Access, I am assuming it's quite easy to
export into Excel for the other person to use. He was told that Excel was
better than Access so it's like the blind leading the blind!

 

[Guest]

in general, access is more complicated.
which means you can do more with it (imho) but it's also easier to get lost
in it (again, imho)

 

[Keith]

If I created the database using Access, I am assuming it's quite easy to
export into Excel for the other person to use. He was told that Excel was
better than Access so it's like the blind leading the blind!

That's like saying a hammer is better than a chisel. They are completely
different tools for different purposes. If you need to store data
referentially then use Access. Excel is a spreadsheet tool where data is
only related in two dimensions.

Good luck.

Regards,
Keith.
www.keithwilby.com