[mso] Re: Database or Spreadsheet
- From: "Jim Pettit" <j_e_pettit@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 07:07:02 -0700
Linda--
With all due respect, please forgive my intransigent defense. But when
you state , "...if you want a spreadsheet with advanced mathematical
calculations and charts, Excel leaves Access in the dust.", or "Excel is
much better at advanced mathematical calculations", you're stepping on
my toes. ;-) I'm an Access 'expert' (whatever that means), and I've
*never* seen a mathematical calculation that it couldn't handle.
Certainly Access is overkill for most people who need an application in
which to store, linear, single-table, flat-file data. And for running
quick-and-dirty 'what-if' scenarios, I don't think Excel can be beat,
either. But, as you yourself pointed out, for relational data storage,
or most any sophisticated application back-end, Access (or, you know,
some other database) is the way to go. Microsoft included Access in its
Office suite for a reason, you know, and it wasn't just because that
little key icon is so darn cute. ;-)
--Jim
-----Original Message-----
From: mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Linda F. Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 5:41 AM
To: mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [mso] Re: Database or Spreadsheet
Hi Peter....being someone who teaches both Excel and Access I think I
can tell you some of the differences....basically Excel is VERY good if
you want a flat database (all information in one table)...if that's all
you need, then Access is probably overkill for the average
user....however, when you need a relational database, Excel can't cut
it. However, Excel is much better at advanced mathematical calculations
(the formulas you refer to)....Access is more limited in this way.
Another thing that Excel does better than Access is charting based on
your data....Excel can build extensive charts with trend lines, etc. to
give a picture of what your data represents (tho the latest versions of
Access include the Pivot Chart, it doesn't come close to what Excel can
do)
In a nutshell, if you want a relational database, using Excel instead of
Access is like using WordPad instead of Word....but, if you want a
spreadsheet with advanced mathematical calculations and charts, Excel
leaves Access in the dust.
I used to ask the exact opposite question you are now asking....I would
say "why bother with Access when Excel does everything I want in a more
simple manner?"....now I realize the need for both, tho I'm still more
proficient with Excel. I think it just depends on which one you learned
first.
Linda
Linda's Computer Stop
http://personal-computer-tutor.com
ABC Free Ezine ~ Free Ebooks and Tutorials
*all outgoing mail scanned by Norton AV. If you got a bug that looks
like it came from me, it did NOT!
-----Original Message-----
From: mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Peter Chiavaro
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 6:53 AM
To: mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [mso] Database or Spreadsheet
Hello fellow Office Dweebs.
I am amazed at the amount of people that are using a spreadsheet when (I
think) they should be using a database. I'm not real sure about this but
it looks like (to me anyway) most of the questions from people using
Excel, look like the people should be using Access. I don't understand.
It could be that that I have no idea what I'm talking about because I
have never used Excel. I have no idea "what" to use it for let alone HOW
to use it. I "think" it's good for formulas, as in making Ice cream. So
much sugar, so much milk, so much flavoring etc.
Can someone explain what the difference is between a spreadsheet and a
database? My MAIN question would be; what is it that Excel can do that
Access CAN'T. If someone could answer that one question, I'd be very
happy.
I've always been curious about this but have always been afraid to show
my ignorance.
Peter C.
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