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Excel is NOT a database

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    Excel is NOT a database

    Hi folks,

    For the next newsletter, we'd like to have an article that describes why Excel, while an excellent spreadsheet, is NOT a database. In other words, why should people who are currently using Excel to store their data switch to a database (hmm, I even have a good one in mind!).

    Please post your comments here, or email me.

    Thanks

    #2
    RE: Excel is NOT a database

    Hi Bill

    Are you getting my Email I sent you 2 a,few days ago

    Ray

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Excel is NOT a database

      14 May 2003


      Bill,


      I look forward to your article. It is "correct" to state that Excel or other spreadsheets are not relational databases. However, in the real world spreadsheets are used as databases.

      Why?

      Because they are so damn easy to work with. Millions of people work with spreadsheets every day. A company can get the secretaries, the clerks and even the executives to work with them, including high-powered analyst. I myself have used Excel to do pivot tables (with 50,000 rows of data) that satisfy numerous managers' request for their data to be simplified and handed to them on a 'silver platter'.

      As such, I think it would be most useful for Alpha to think how to incorporate the simplicity of spreadsheets into Alpha so that a company like ours which has thousands of users of spreadsheet could move up to a fine product like Alpha. However for right now, this is DOA for large companies to implement.

      For instance to copy and paste from one spreadsheet to another is a breeze. To mix and match is also easy by inserting cells in the middle of a database in a spreadsheet. Not so for Alpha Five!!!!

      My suggestion, have an "Alpha Five Spreadsheet", that with a flip of a icon, could be turned into a sophiscated "Alpha Five" relational database, and vice versa.

      Likewise, not having row numbers on the left side of an Alpha Five database vs. a spreadsheet is more reason to see the simplicity of spreadsheet vs. Alpha.

      Just my two cents.

      Have a nice day.
      JG
      Houston, TX
      281-579-4546



      ******************************


      For the next newsletter, we'd like to have an article that describes why Excel, while an excellent spreadsheet, is NOT a database. In other words, why should people who are currently using Excel to store their data switch to a database (hmm, I even have a good one in mind!).

      Please post your comments here, or email me.

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Excel is NOT a database

        Now I like that idea...

        A browse that is a spreadsheet INSIDE of Alpha...

        Where you could cut and paste multiple records between databases or replace a field in multiple records with simple cut and paste functions ( a couple of mouse clicks) instead of writing an operation then running it to do the same thing.

        I agree that a spreadsheet is no database and shouldn't be used for one. But I'll tell you one thing, the last time I had to get an access data base adjusted to the way I wanted it for importing into Alpha I found it easy to manipulate quickly in a spreadsheet as a middle step.

        I agree, "It would be most useful for Alpha to think how to incorporate the simplicity of spreadsheets into Alpha so that thousands of users of spreadsheet could move up to a fine product like Alpha."

        Good idea John...

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Excel is NOT a database

          Theoretically,

          This can be done.

          Each row corresponds to record.
          Each columm corresponds to a cell.
          So using object pointers to reference relative columns (cells), the formulas could also be transposed.

          Just a though,
          Melvin

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Excel is NOT a database

            5 June 2003


            Dan,


            Yes a simple toggle switch off/on - Alpha Five data-base or spreadsheet.

            With six parts:
            1. Heading top row (which could he the height extended so that could put more sescritive tititles)
            2. Filter toggle on top of each column so that a person could QUICKLY select data.
            3. Sort hierarchy row so that could quickly select the order the data is to be shown. (i.e. column �B� is desired to the be the first sort key- pt a �1� , column �F� is desired to be the second sort key, put a �2� in the sort row, etc.
            4. Column 1 always with the row count
            5. Open data thereafter in other columns and rows
            6. Total (for numeric columns) on bottom row



            From there, cut and paste, insert rows or columns and stop wasting people's valuable time.

            Have a great day,
            JG
            Houston, TX
            281-579-4546

            Comment

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