What are the key reasons to purchase Access over Excel?

[Guest]

I just purchased Office Small Business and have converted my old Access files
to Excel. Why do I need Access?

 

[Rick Brandt]

I just purchased Office Small Business and have converted my old Access files
to Excel. Why do I need Access?

You need Excel if you want to build spreadsheets. You need Access if you
want to build databases. They really are two very different things.

At the risk of sounding condescending, if you don't already understand the
differences then you're probably better of staying with Excel.

 

[Guest]

Rick,
I've used both and find that Ecel has the database needs that I have which
are limited to under 500 entries and usually only encompass printing labels
and sorting on one or two fields. I understand that Access allows greater
flexibility and size with the databases, allows you to sort more easily and
lets you print labels and letters without going into Word but so far I cannot
justify the cost from Small Business to Professional for what I use a
database for.
Thanks for your help!
ExcelrichAccesspoor

 

[Jamie Collins]

You need Excel if you want to build spreadsheets. You need Access if you
want to build databases.

The two are not mutually exclusive <g>.

Using VBA code in Excel, I can create, maintain and query Jet
databases. I know sql code so I can live without GUI tools, hence I do
not need MS Access.

Using Jet queries (e.g. from MS Access UI) I can create Excel
workbooks based on the data the query returns i.e. an export. However,
apart from re-querying the Excel data, that's about all I can do
without the Excel app.

I could only afford one, I'd go for Excel.

Jamie.

--

 

[Guest]

Jamie,
I am unsure of what sql code or GUI is but I do agree if I can build and
create, sort and such with Excel that I wouldn't need Access too. I am new
to these terms but I will research them. I have an old copy of Access but I
just upgraded to XP with Small Business which includes Excel and did not
purchase Professional which has Access and I didn't know if I did the right
thing. I thank you as you have been the only one who seems to understand my
question!
ExcelrichAccesspoor