[mso] Re: Database or Spreadsheet
- From: "Peter Chiavaro" <kp@xxxxxxxx>
- To: <mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 14:57:52 -0400
Hi Linda and the group. NICE discussion, but I wish I wasn't the one who =
started it. It's kinda off-topic as well sein' as how we're not =
accomplishing anything by this thread. It's my fault actually because I =
do not use Excel at all. OH yes, it's installed on my computer, but =
aside from clicking the shortcut on my desktop, I am not able to enter a =
single KEYSTROKE into Excel. All I can do is launch the program. When =
loads, all I do is sit and stare at the window and wonder "Who needs =
this thing??...LOL. I fell into this rut because I started with Access, =
and became fairly good at it (considering I am a no-code person) and =
from there, I could never imagine a task that Excel could do that Access =
couldn't. Even not knowing any VBA, I could almost get Access to serve =
me breakfast in bed. If I were able to code, I could probably get it to =
do THAT too. Several people mentioned "ease of use"... I don't get that =
either. I think that considering all it can do... Access is pretty easy =
to run. As I am sure you already know, in the computer world, power also =
brings complexity. A formula-1 racecar is always going to be more =
complicated to drive than a Volkswagen. Hahaha.. Interesting discussion =
though. And thanks to all the friends who posted on the subject. At =
least I am starting to see the light as to WHY Excel is 100 times more =
popular than Access. It's simply a case of the shoe being on the other =
foot. "I",, am totally ignorant on how, why, or exactly when, to use =
Excel.
Pedro.
-----Original Message-----
From: mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mso-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On =
Behalf Of Linda F. Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 8:41 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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