Using Access and Excel

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Guest

We are using a program written in excel. It accepts input and then calculates
and produces a report. When it completes the information is deleted and the
next data is input. My question is this: I would like to keep all the
information that has been input in a database. Can this be done, how to go
about this and how complex would this be? Any help would be greatly
appreciated.
Thank you in advance,
Mike
 
Mike

JOPO - just one person's opinion ...

Access is a relational database. While the tables in Access might look like
a spreadsheet, you will find that both you and Access have to come up with
serious work-arounds if you simply import the data structure from an Excel
spreadsheet into an Access table. ... and you won't get good use of the
features and functions Access offers.

Access has a bit of a learning curve. Be prepared to spend some time
learning.

That said, your situation (preserve entered data for subsequent
inspection/reporting...) is just what a database is for.

--
Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP


Microsoft IT Academy Program Mentor
http://microsoftitacademy.com/

Microsoft Registered Partner
https://partner.microsoft.com/
 
I'd agree with Jeff, in the main. It may make sense (depending on the
structure of the data and the nature of the calculations) to enter and store
the data in Access, and link to it from Excel to generate the reports. This
may require some changes to the way you manage the data, though!
 
Jeff,
Would it be simpler to keep the data in excel for storage and retrieval?
Thanks,
Mike
 
Mike

Define "easier".

If you have experience with Excel and no experience with Access, I'm
guessing it would be easier (for you) to keep/manage data in Excel.

If your situation calls for a way to capture store data entered, provide
search/filter capabilities, keep a historical record of entry, provide
reporting capabilities, you might want to consider spending the time and
energy it will take to move up the learning curve in Access.

What do you need?

--
Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP


Microsoft IT Academy Program Mentor
http://microsoftitacademy.com/

Microsoft Registered Partner
https://partner.microsoft.com/
 
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