Complete newbie help: Need to create database to track daily production info

[IamDavid]

You will probably notice I have no idea what I am talking about, nor am I sure I even know what I am looking for or need. So here is the basics:

I need a database that will be tracking info on multiple processes through-out the day, week, month year. Need to be able to pull up info from database and display it in trend lines / x bar charts.

Currently using MS Excel to track all the info which works well for the day to day stuff but is way to difficult for past info.

I want to create this from some type of template or from scratch. Don't want to purchase new software. I have Office Professional, Visual Studio 2K8.

Thanks for any guidance and please don't call me an idiot.

 

[Markbnj]

Start looking into Access, I guess. It should be included with Office Pro or VS2008. I have both so don't remember which one it came with. I have never done any Access development, but no doubt some others here have.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Access will come with Office Professional

From Excel you can also link to Access to obtain data for your charts, etc.

From Access, you can generate reports also.

Aceess will allow you to impot the Excel data.


Good Luck

 

[IamDavid]

Thanks guys,

Currently I have new sheet for everyday in a workbook. At the end of the month I have a large workbook and one cover page that has all the totals on it. So what would be the difference between using Access and Excel? I have had NO prior dealings with Access and looking at the MS site it doesn't show a lot of screen shots.
Another question, what is SQL? I have read a little on it and still don't understand. I know it come in VS and seems to be able to build databases but I can't really tell.

 

[KLin]

I would suggest picking up an access for dummies book to get an introduction to Access. Microsoft Access is a RDBMS (Relational database managment system) program. It allows you to create tables that can store data(ie store all of your production data in one single table instead of different workbooks in Excel). You can then create queries for your data and create reports against that data, etc. all in the access database file.

 

[Markbnj]

Originally posted by: IamDavid
Thanks guys,

Currently I have new sheet for everyday in a workbook. At the end of the month I have a large workbook and one cover page that has all the totals on it. So what would be the difference between using Access and Excel? I have had NO prior dealings with Access and looking at the MS site it doesn't show a lot of screen shots.
Another question, what is SQL? I have read a little on it and still don't understand. I know it come in VS and seems to be able to build databases but I can't really tell.

SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It's a relatively straightforward way to extract data from tables in a database based on the values in the records, as well as relationships between records. Access is a simple, graphical relational database for home and small office apps, and also gets a lot of use at the departmental level in larger organizations.