database for alumni group

[pile-it Mark]

I was asked to create a database for a High school band group. No, I don't do this for a living, i am not that skilled, the name says it all. I initially thought it would be an easy task. just use excell. i have a maintenance tracking program i thought i would modify the data entry page and then the interested parties could type away.

but since there will be over 40 years of names. figure 25 new kids a year, we are talking around 500 sets of information. about 90 columns wide. that would need to be able to searched by many variables. and then mail merged.

My initial idea that this is easy, has turned into the question " is this the right tool for the job?" i only know Excel and a little Word. should i learn something else?
i started a form. but now am stuck.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[bethg7]

I use the Form View in excel. 2007 doesn't have that button on the ribbon; but you can put it on the Quick Menu by going to the Window button and Excel Options.

With that data form view, you can search on ANY criteria from ANY column! Maybe that would work for you.

Beth

 

[pile-it Mark]

Thanks. I will try at it and see.. are you any good at VBA?

Mark

 

[bethg7]

I am so-so. I do my own programming in VBA; but since joining here, I am finding so very much that I just didn't know!!

There are real experts here though that help everyone work things out.