DISTYNCT
Excel to Access Conversion Solutions

Most people have been using excel, or some type of electronic spreadsheet forever. Spreadsheets are a great tool.  They allow the user to easily set-up anything from simple to complex calculations over multiple records.  Many people also use excel to create printed forms for collecting data because it's easy to control the cell locations through merging cells. 

However, problems can exist when spreadsheets grow beyond their initial purpose, or are used in ways for which they are not designed.

So in what ways are databases more effective than spreadsheets?  Here are some things to consider.

1)  If you have the need to search or query the data on a regular basis.

While is it possible to easily filter the data in a spreadsheet, it's not as easy to view only the fields you want in an spreadsheet.  It's somewhat cumbersome to hide individual fields, especially if they're not right next to each other.

2)  Combining multiple tables (or spreadsheets)

This is the biggest advantage of a database over a spreadsheet.  It's quite simple to combine tables or spreadsheets based on some key that relates the difference sources.  It's then easy to search or query this combined data source for the data you'll need.  And, since you can select on the fields you want, it's nice and clean versus having to hide fields.

3)  Storage of historical data

Spreadsheets really don't facilitate separate "history" sections, or tabs, since you then have to combine them as in item 2 above.  With a database, data over some give age can automatically be written to a history table, keeping the the day to day working table smaller and faster.

4)  Easy conversion to the internet.

Let's say you're tracking inventory and using a spreadsheet.  If you want to populate a website with data from this spreadsheet, your only choice is to re-enter the data into a webpage.

Now, if you're using a database, and you decide to sell online, or at least display your inventory online, it's fairly simple to upload the entire database and connect the data to the webpage.  If the data is dynamic, it's even better.  It's possible to have the local access database automatically upload data to the website, completely automating the entire process.

5) Data Entry

Although it is possible to enter data into excel via a form, it isn't quite as flexible as in access.  For example, it's possible to enter data into two separate tables in access where in excel, you're pretty much limited to one spreadsheet.

Contact Distynct Solutions for more information