Is there a good tutorial (book or video series) that can teach me how to make Excel behave like a database?

[JenniferMurphy]

I have a bunch of applications that seem like they are better suited for a database than a spreadsheet where I can normalize the data and queries and forms to manipulate and interrogate the data in pretty much unlimited ways. But several conversations I have read here suggest to me that Excel has features that I am not aware of that can come pretty close to impersonating, emulating, or actually being a database.

I am wondering if there is a really good book or video series that I can get that will teach me how to make Excel function like a database. I am not looking for something that is free.

I would also be interested in any consultants or tutors who could walk me through that process and critique my work.

Thanks for all tips and pointers.

 

[JenniferMurphy]

That could work.

For these kinds of scenarios, a web application is the way to go, since you would just give them a URL and they could enter the website, without installing anything, access the data and let them make their selections. Keep in mind that Google has their "Forms" service too. Google also has an online database that Excel can use via HTTP, which is Firebase, so that could also work. You could ask the GPT or me to write a simple app that can store their selections. There are a ton of options right now.

There is also AppSheets or something like that, which works with the Google Sheet API and I don't doubt there are more apps that can also communicate with the same service.

Very helpful, thanks

 

[JenniferMurphy]

Ok. I am going to try and get up to speed on Access. I just wish there was a MrAccess board. The Microsoft Community is not bad, but not even close to the quality of MrExcel, which is easily the best discussion board that I am aware of.

 

[awoohaw]

Mr Excel does have an Access board. But not sure how much content it has:

Microsoft Access

Questions about Access.

www.mrexcel.com

 

[Joe4]

I just wish there was a MrAccess board.

I am quite partial to this one for my more complex Access questions: Microsoft Access Forums
Lots of great Access programmers over there, and gets a decent amount of traffic.

 

[JenniferMurphy]

I am quite partial to this one for my more complex Access questions: Microsoft Access Forums
Lots of great Access programmers over there, and gets a decent amount of traffic.

I do have a membership there. I'll give it another try. Thanks