Why Excel...Why Access

[ironsides]

I use Excel. Never Access.. What can either do that the other doesn't?

 

[respree]

You could use a screwdriver or you could use a dime to tighten a screw.

One of them is designed to do the job much more efficiently.

Excel has its limitations. Trying to manage an inventory database with 500,000 records, for example, would be (near) impossible with Excel, but very possible with Access.

 

[SydneyGeek]

Excel is a great number-cruncher. Access is much better at organising and correlating complex data sets, and managing multiple users. You can also set up sophisticated data validation in Access, and handle much more data than Excel can. The total file size limit for Access is 2 Gb, but if you start approaching that it's time for something more heavy-duty.

I use them both. The trick is to know which is best suited for any particular job. Together they are a great combination.

Denis

 

[Joe4]

I use both equally (though I feared Access for a long time). Here is my opinion:

Excel is a spreadsheet program. Access is a relational database program.

If you find yourself using a lot of VLOOKUP or MATCH formulas, Access may be a better tool.

If you have a ton of data (especially in multiple tables), Access may be better to use.

If you are doing a lot of comparisons (who in list A is/isn't in list B), Access may be a better tool.

Access also has better internal reporting options than Excel (though both can be connected to Word via a mail merge).

I also think Access forms are easier to create/use than Excel VBA forms.

These are just a few examples, but gives you a general idea.