need some pointers

[golem]

First, i'm sorry for not doing the usual things like scouring the
annals of this group and lurking a long time before posting. I need
some guidance and the sooner the better.

What i want to build is basically a database.

I need the names of all of the staff members i need to help train.
I need the plan of action for each staff member.
I need the dates, types and lengths of the trainings completed.
I need to total the training times, with the possibility to separate
the different types of training and total them also.
I need an easy to read front page, with the ability to select any or
all of the above data.

First, is this do-able in Excel? I think it is, but I am having
trouble wrapping my head around what seems to me to be a three
dimensional matrix in two dimensions.

I have very little exposure to excel, but i have some programming
background and don't mind some syntax obstacles.

My solution was a 100+ page workbook, each page being a different
staff member. I couldn't figure how to get the data i needed from all
of those pages into one display in the front. I'm sure there's a
better way.

Any help, including pointing me to other groups, pages, etc. is
greatly appreciated. Also, if this can't be done, please help me
understand why not. Thanks for taking the time to help me.

bill

 

[Guest]

You are talking about taking on a very large task, whether in Excel or in a
database, and I'd recommend a database because the task is a little less
daunting there. Access, or even SQL Server 2005 Express, are much better at
maintaining related tables of data.

In your case I see the employees as one table with columns for:

1) EmpoyeeID (if you don't have employee #s, then create an arbitrary #
using built-in database functions)
2) LastName
3) FirstName
4) ManagerID# (maybe/maybe not)
5) Phone (maybe/maybe not)
6) Function (accounting/sales/etc)

Another table for Training types

1) Type#
2) TrainingName
3) any attributes of each that are worth tracking

RequiredTraining
1) EmployeeID
2)TrainingType#
3) HoursRequired

Another table for Training events

1) EventID
2 EventDate
3) EventType
4) Location
5) Trainer
6) CreditHours

Training Attendance Table
1) EventID
2) EmployeeID
3) Grade (Pass/Fail/Incomplete)

I'm just slapping these ideas down and the really need to be refined.
However, this kind of structure would allow you to create queries & reports
to show what kind of training each person requires, what each person has
completed, and whn they completed it.

 

[golem]

Thanks a lot for your input. your pointers on which tables to create
has given me something extra to do this weekend. I have started to
look at Access for this task. Thanks again.

bill