I need to know if I can use Excel to create a data base to create and update price cards for 16 retail locations. The price cards are currently printed in WORD and have a specific format required by the vendor. I want to populate the fields and format from a spread-sheet that is much easer to update for pricing updates.
Should I use ACCESS instead of Excel. Anyone who knows how to set up a template that can be populated from a spreadsheet or ACCESS database and can shed some insight and some tech support to get me started.....
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As far as the template is concerned, it might take some VBA code to get it working (in MS Access, it's on the Modules tab). Essentially what you can do is create a template for your Word Document. Then in MS Access you would keep a Table of your entries by creating a form for it. The form could print the entries off onto MS Word using the template.
How many price card records will you be storing in total? (Is this sixteen, or will the total quantity be sub-dividing by sixteen to indicate those records for each retail location?)
What fields (columns) are required in each record (price card)?
What is a price card?
Is the data for each card (record) to be sourced from a MS-Excel workbook (perhaps the same one you are intending to use to collate & price the cards)?
How knowledgeable are you with Access &/or Excel?
Will you be the only user of this data? If not, is concurrent access (to data entry/manipulation &/or printing) required?
Will the data for each retail location be sensitive to every other location?
As well as all these queries to help you determine which is the better/best tool for your project, I made a comparison of Excel versus Access with respect system development in a previous Experts-Exchange question:
"What program should I use? Excel or Access"
[ http://www.experts-exchang
See Comment ID:19560264 / Date:07.24.2007 at 10:24PM BST
BFN,
fp.
OK, let me summarize and pour my-self a big SHOT! of beverage
My excel abilities are a little above average.
I am not as familiar with Access, but I have several other projects that might benefit by my getting my feet wet.
PRICE CARD SPECs:
16 Retail locations or sets of cards
approx 40 to 50 different cards per set
Same format and price for all cards and locations (but the option to change price for a specific store is appealing)
The Fields to be populated from database:
1. Item Make and model (Top- center- Black-Bold)
2. Features and Capabilities: (left of center with bullet-point list)
3. 2 year Price ( Right of center with Amount below in Red/bold)
4. 1 year price ( same as above, both year options are always offered)
5. Retail price (Botton left, amount in red preceeding "Retail Price"
6. vendor Logo.
NOTE: there is a back ground screen field that also needs. to be included.
You will need at least two tables in the database (Locations and Cards) You might need one for Prices as well.
It sounds as if you need to use a table on the Word template or mail-merge main document to lay out the data precisely. Type in any fixed text, and insert the logo with Insert/Picture (from a file), or by copying and and pasting.
If you are using mail-merge, you will be able to insert the mail-merge fields with a button on the mail-merge tool-bar. Igf not using mail-merge, then it is easiest to use Form fields and have the document protected for Forms.
" I need to know if I can use Excel to create a data base "
NO. Because ... Excel is *not* a database by any stretch. It's .... yep ... Spreadsheet! Let me put it another way: Excel is *not* a database.
"Excel is a poor man's database. Use Access if you can."
Close, but I would put it as "Excel is a foolish man's database"
Access ... the most widely used *database* product in the World.
mx
WOW was that a Jack-hammer on my skull....or....No it was just the last comment by MX. Lets see if I got it..... Excel= NOT DATABASE=FOOLISH
Access= Database=GOOD IDEA
I think I got it. Now the only problem is that when MX left his comment his solution to my problem must have been erased. So all that I have done is decide that Access is the right choice, and that I need to find a tutorial.
Microsoft have a set of tutorials on Access.
http://office.microsoft.co
I hate when stuff gets erased - evil forces from outer space, apparently!
btw ... it was nothing personal. Many of the (real) databases I have done are the result of clients who started with Excel ... and in short order self-destructed - finally realizing that Excel is not a database :-)
In addition to the tutorials listed above, visits these links at some point:
The defacto standard:
http://www.developershandb
http://www.blueclaw-db.com
http://www.fmsinc.com/free
http://allenbrowne.com/tip
and last but NOT least
www.lebans.com all free tools, etc. a goldmine
Business Accounts
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by: BitRunner303Posted on 2008-06-20 at 06:37:34ID: 21831043
You can do it in Excel but I would highly recommend using MS Access.