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Frisco, CO, United States
Hi, I'm Joel Levy owner of PC Applications. I have been providing quality Windows and MS Office Training and Consulting services to Central Colorado for over 16 Years. I have been specifically teaching computer classes since 1993 and bring incredible enthusiasm in a relaxed, laid back style that makes the learning fun and enjoyable. My personable teaching style makes it easy to understand concepts of how the software works, not just what buttons to click. My experience in working with Windows and ALL of the MS Office Applications at ALL levels allows me to explain things from a broad perspective comparing and contrasting MS Office features. Check out our website www.pcapplications.com

Monday, June 14, 2010

Databases: Excel vs Access

This discussion comes up frequently about databases...

What software should I use to manage my data? In my opion, right up there with knowing about word processing (Word) and spreadsheets (Excel) I would want to understand database concepts and database software (Access).

Many people tell me Excel "does everything...", even database...yes, to some degree...Actually we could set up a "database" using a Word table and it could be used as a data source file for mail merge for example (but probably wouldn't).

Flatfile vs. Relational Database:

What most people don't realize is that it is not very efficient to store all of the information that you may be dealing with in a single table (flatfile). As Dr. Codd (developed relational databases in computers) would suggest, one would want to setup a relational database where one would have many related (linked) tables. This design cuts down on duplication and inconsistencey of information (as well as many other advantages such as referential integrity, had to throw that in).

Access is relation database software and allows one to design and develop a relational databases where Excel is basically a flatfile database. Access has several parts in the database file including Tables and Forms (for entering, editing, and viewing data), Queries (questions about the data in the database), Reports (compiling, viewing, printing data), and Macros and Modules (automation with Macro commands or VBA code contained in Modules). So it has features that go "way" beyond what Excel can do in term of managing a database.

So, if you are "serioius" about having a database, you might consider Access. BTW, Access can be easily interfaced with Excel to take advantage of any of the unique Excel features that could be applied to your Access data even though Access has it own analytical features such as Charts, Pivot Tables, Crosstab Queries, and many others.

PC Applications specializes in Access training and database design and development and can help you at any level of setting up your database(s) using Access.

So, not right or wrong but a matter of being efficient...how do you manage your data? Excel, Access, Index Cards?

Have fun in the meantime until next time...Joel
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