too many tables?

[Mike]

I am working on creating a new database to log in samples and the track the
results of tests (25+) on the samples. Any sample can have any or all of the
tests performed on it so I will need to record up to 25 test results for any
one sample. I also want to record the date the test was run and who ran the
test.
I have set up the database so that there is a log-in table to record the
information about the sample and then I have a table for each of the tests.
So far there are about 25 tests so I have 25 test tables. This seems like a
lot of unnecessary tables that I could combine somehow. Any vision on a
better way to set this up would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Mike

 

[Jerry Whittle]

You should have only one table for each kind of data. You wouldn't have a
table for all the Smith's, another for Jones', etc., would you.

Combine at the tests into one table. You may need to split out repeating day
to other tables.

Also remember to go down and not across with the data. You don't want this:

Test1 Test2 Test2 and so on across. Rather you something like:

Tests Results
1 Pass
2 Fail

 

[John W. Vinson]

I am working on creating a new database to log in samples and the track the
results of tests (25+) on the samples. Any sample can have any or all of the
tests performed on it so I will need to record up to 25 test results for any
one sample. I also want to record the date the test was run and who ran the
test.
I have set up the database so that there is a log-in table to record the
information about the sample and then I have a table for each of the tests.
So far there are about 25 tests so I have 25 test tables. This seems like a
lot of unnecessary tables that I could combine somehow. Any vision on a
better way to set this up would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Mike

You need four tables, not 26.

Samples
SampleID <primary key>
<log information about the sample, e.g. source, sample date, etc.>

Tests
TestNo <primary key>
Description

Testers
TesterID <primary key>
LastName
FirstName
<other personal identification>

Results
SampleID <link to Samples>
TestNo <link to Tests>
TestDate
TesterID
TestResult

 

[Mike]

Thanks for all the hilp I think I can see the light now!