Simpler database than MS Access?

[BD2003]

I have been trying to make my own inventory database using MS access, and it is ten times more complicated than I need it to be, and it is making it impossible for me to get the simplest things done. I just dont need an uber-relational-programming database, all I need is something I can keep stock of things, filter things, and make reports based on calculations of profit, revenue etc.

What alternatives are there to MS access that will allow me to do all these things without the headaches?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Have you looked at the inventory control sample database the comes with MS Access.

These samples are designed to get people started of correctly and then allow customization.

 

[BD2003]

Even that is waaaay more than I will need. This is just for my own personal ebaying and buyselltrading on this board. Go through so many deals i get lost.

 

[kt]

Uhm.. use Excel.

 

[BD2003]

Is it possible to filter out rows somehow with excel without deleting them?

Is it possible to somehow calculate a value based on a date range (which would be one of the fields)?

And is it possible for a formula's range to grow as you add to it the spreadsheet?

 

[kt]

Access is just about the simplest available over the counter software you'll have to accomplish what you need. Once you have all your report forms done you won't have to ever touch it again. Just spend that little extra time to learn Access.

 

[BD2003]

Ive been using excel, and it is actually working out MUCH better for me than access.

I have a quick question though. There is a lot of data that I would like to see (gross profit, net profit), but I dont need to see it all the time and I would like to reduce clutter.

Is there any way to link columns from one sheet to columns in another sheet, so I can have a simple sheet and an advanced sheet?

 

[EagleKeeper]

='worksheet name'!cell

 

[BD2003]

K, awesome thanks. Another question:

I'm trying to set it to calculate revs and stuff for days, week, month etc?

How do I write the formula to add a certain number to a total based on the date data from another column?

More Specifically:

I have a column that calculates how much I sold something for. I also have a column for the date it was sold. How do I tell it to add only those together for a certain day, week, or month? I am pretty sure I can figure out the formula for the dates, I just dont know how to tell excel to look at cell in a column for a corresponding row.

 

[joinT]

if you go to view, or right-click you can customize the workbar. add the function key. inside there are descriptions of the functions & what they do.

 

[BD2003]

OK, I've got it down to: =SUMIF(DataFull!I3:I62, TODAY(), DataFull!D362)

The problem here, is that it it will only add the fields if the forumla is actually "=today()" for that cell, not if its the actual date. How can I get it to look at the value of the cell and not the formula?