Access or Excel?

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Guest

I have an existing database (and report functions) built on FoxPro. I would
like to modernize this application ...

Do I use Access or Excel?

There are 14,000 records now, with about 30 fields including notes. We plan
to more than double this input for both records and fields tracked.

Data entry is a key. Report features are a key. Alerting the users to
records they should take action on (based on date) is also a key. The users
are not computer efficient.

I'm familiar with Excel, but not as familiar with Access ... any advice?
Additionally, if I'm missing a product that's out there (non-MS) more
suitable to the task, I welcome your input.

Many thanks!
 
Everything in your list points to Access being the better option, with just
one exception - that you are more familiar with Excel than with Access. So I
would say that if you have the time and inclination to become as familiar
with Access as you are with Excel, you should choose Access. Only if you do
not have the time and/or the inclination, and don't have the budget to get
someone else to do it, would I choose Excel.

There's also the option of sticking with FoxPro, of course. I am not
personally familiar with FoxPro, but it appears to be a very capable DBMS
and I believe a new version was released not very long ago.
 
I agree with Brendan and would chose Access.

Excel runs out at 64,000 rows in a worksheet whereas an Access table can
handle a million or more. You are talking about more than doubling the
current 14,000 rows of data. That's sneaking up towards Excels limits.

If data entry is the key, Excel can only have one person entering data at a
time. A properly designed and implemented Access database can easily have
10-20 users adding, deleting and altering records all at the same time plus
run reports and other stuff. Notice the "properly designed" part. As Brendan
suggested, maybe hire someone else to do the work unless you want to learn
new skills.

As far as something else, I always advise clients to look at trade magazines
to see if there is already something suitable in their field. If there is,
seriously consider buying it. If you can't afford a pre-packaged solution,
you most likely can not afford a custom built database.
 
Brendan said:
Everything in your list points to Access being the better option,
with just one exception - that you are more familiar with Excel than
with Access. So I would say that if you have the time and inclination
to become as familiar with Access as you are with Excel, you should
choose Access. Only if you do not have the time and/or the
inclination, and don't have the budget to get someone else to do it,
would I choose Excel.
There's also the option of sticking with FoxPro, of course. I am not
personally familiar with FoxPro, but it appears to be a very capable
DBMS and I believe a new version was released not very long ago.
Click to expand...

That's very good advice.
 
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