Can a field store a date and/or any other data type?

[JethroUK]

I'm using Excel to keep data on students

I'm currently describing the state of any particular field as either '*' =
student has started this part of their programme - or a date "15/7/08" to
describe their end/completion date for that same part of the programme

I want to import all this data into Access but can a field store a date
and/or any other data type as per Excel?

 

[Stefan Hoffmann]

hi,

I want to import all this data into Access but can a field store a date
and/or any other data type as per Excel?

You need to store that in two fields:

Started: DateTime or Yes/No Field.
Completed: DateTime



mfG
--> stefan <--

 

[Allen Browne]

No. Unlike columns in a spreadsheet, fields in a database are properly
typed, so you cannot store a non-numeric value in a Number field, or a
non-date value in a date/time field.

 

[JethroUK©]

Then is it possible to assign a date type field as 'not null'? - which could
in turn be described on a form/report as 'started' (but not yet completed)

I am currently describing over 12 activities with 12 fields/columns and it
is likely (once i have database set up i will go on to describe/track 20-30
activities) so i don't really want several fields per activity to maintain,
if one date field will describe it

 

[Jerry Whittle]

Step away from the keyboard! You are trying to "commit spreadsheet". Having
12 fields with similar data with the possibility of going to 30 fields is a
very bad idea. Your table has serious normalization problems and just will
NOT work correctly in a relational database. Period.

I highly recommend getting some relational database training or reading
"Database Design for Mere Mortals" by Hernandez before proceeding any further
on this database.

 

[JethroUK©]

my problem is only small (as described), but even with your vast knowledge
you don't seem to see a simple solution

so I don't think reading a book would help me at all

i think i'll just have to use two fields to describe start & end every
single activity

 

[Klatuu]

Jethro, everyone here is trying to help you. The problem is you are trying
to shoehorn a spreadsheet solution into a relational database. If you
continue on your current path, it will only get harder. You probably would
be better off staying in Excel.

To be specific, You really don't need the 30 fields for one student. What
you need is a table that identifies the students, one to identify the
activities, and another to show the current status of an activity for a
student. So to keep it as simple as possible (you may need more info in your
tables)

tblStudent
StudentID - Autonumber PK
StudentFirstName - Text
StudentLastName - Text

tblActivity
ActivityID - Autonumber PK
ActivityDescription - Text

tblStudentActivity
StuActID - Autonumber PK
StudentID - Long Integer - Foreign Key to tblStudent
ActivityID - Long Integer - Foreign Key to tblActivity
ActivityStartDate - Date
ActivityCompleteDate - Date

Now, you use a record in the tblStudentActivity table for each Activity for
Each Student. This is a very basic relational design.

If you have any questions on this, please post back.

 

[Allen Browne]

Jethro, everyone here is trying to help you. The problem is you are
trying
to shoehorn a spreadsheet solution into a relational database. If you
continue on your current path, it will only get harder. You probably
would
be better off staying in Excel.

Jethro, please hear that. Don't frustrate yourself with your current path.

 

[JethroUK©]

I can see the benefit of having a separate table for student activities

tblStudentActivity
StuActID - Autonumber PK
StudentID - Long Integer - Foreign Key to tblStudent
ActivityID - Long Integer - Foreign Key to tblActivity
ActivityStartDate - Date
ActivityCompleteDate - Date

but i'm struggling to see the benefit of a separate table for activity
description (assuming it's as unique as the activity)

tblActivity
ActivityID - Autonumber PK
ActivityDescription - Text

wouldn't it be easier to put both in same table:

tblActivity
StuActID - Autonumber PK
StudentID - Long Integer - Foreign Key to tblStudent
ActivityDescription - Text
ActivityStartDate - Date
ActivityCompleteDate - Date

 

[John... Visio MVP]

but i'm struggling to see the benefit of a separate table for activity
description (assuming it's as unique as the activity)

It depends how unique the activities are. "Go to study hall" may be a common
activity, but "read page 997 of War and Peace" may be a rare activity. If
you do not have a finite number of unique activites, then the combined table
makes sense. The other approach to look at it is if the two tables end up
being an almost one to one relationship then a single table makes sense. If
there is a many to one relationship on activity then the seperate tables
make sense.

John... Visio MVP

 

[Jeff Boyce]

John's hit it right on the head.

First, you tell us what the relationship is between Students and Activities.

Then we can help with the table structure ...

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP