To switch or not to switch

[Mel Smith]

I have a 'suite' of about 12 or 15 spreadsheets, each in one way or another linked and depending on input in one sheet to influence the output of another. I also use some of the sheets for statistical information. A number of the sheets have hidden 'helper' columns and/or rows.

My question is, would I be better of using Access and how easy would it be to 'move from Excel?

Mel

 

[alansidman]

Suggest you read this and then decide if a Database is what you need.

Access vs. Excel ?

 

[HiTechCoach]

Mel,

To answer yoiur two quesitons,

would I be better of using Access?

It sounds like you are attempting to create a Relational database with a group of spreadsheet.

Access would probably be a much better solution for storing the data.

... and how easy would it be to 'move from Excel?

I have migrated lots of Excel data into databases,usually Access. The biggest issue I have is the text data is not consistently entered. Lots of typos and different spellings of names.

FYI:
I regularly use Excel and Access together along with the other Office apps. Unless you have purchased a single application, you have many tools in your Office Suite toolbox.

Access is great as storing Relational data.
Excel is great tool to analyze the Access data.

 

[Mel Smith]

Hello Alan, hello Boyd,

Many thanks for your responses. I can feel some more research coming on!

Mel

 

[alansidman]

Before you start, click on the link in my signature block. It is an excellent white paper on database design.

 

[Mel Smith]

Many thanks, Alan.

Mel