MS Excel is a powerful tool for data management, handling calculations, formulas, and graph creation. It also supports the creation of graphs from external tables. MS Access, on the other hand, is better for managing data, keeping it organized, easy to search, and available to multiple simultaneous users.
One of the main differences between Excel and Microsoft Access is that Excel is generally easier to use and more intuitive. However, some users prefer Excel because it allows immediate action.
A trial of Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) Home plan offers full access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and more. Practicing both Excel and Microsoft Word simultaneously can be beneficial for beginners.
In Access, you can import any or all of the worksheets in an Excel workbook in one operation, with the Import Wizard guiding you through the import steps. However, it is important to remember that copying the exact layout someone else did increases the likelihood of being caught.
By the end of this section, you can integrate Word documents into Excel worksheets, link Excel worksheets to Word documents, and insert Word documents into Excel worksheets.
📹 How to use Microsoft Access – Beginner Tutorial
In this step-by-step tutorial, learn how to use Microsoft Access. We walk what Access is for, why you should use it over a …
Is MS Access easy to learn?
Microsoft Access is a database management software that is part of the Microsoft 365 suite and is standard for business and enterprise users. It is more powerful than Excel and can process more data at once. Access allows users to create multiple tables containing their own data that need to be tracked separately and connect them to form a database. Users can also query databases to find the necessary information and export reports from data within Access to create reports for printing and sharing with stakeholders.
These multiple features allow entrepreneurs and businesses to gather large amounts of data, gain insights, and take action on operations, projects, and performance. Learning expert-level skills takes slightly longer than fundamental techniques, depending on several factors.
Should I make a table in Excel or Word?
It is recommended that tables be created using spreadsheet software such as Excel, that shorter text documents, such as letters, be produced using word processing software, and that longer texts be prepared using LaTeX.
Can Access do calculations like Excel?
An Access expression or an Excel formula can be used to calculate numeric or date/time values using mathematical operators. For example, to calculate a discounted price for a customer, use the formula =C2(1-D2) or the Access expression = (Unit Price)(1-(Discount)). Similarly, string operators can be used to combine, split, or manipulate strings, like combining a first and last name into one string using the formula =D3 and ” ” and D4.
Is it hard to learn word and Excel?
Learning Microsoft Office can be challenging depending on an individual’s aptitude and the complexity of its vast applications. Excel is considered the most challenging program to master, but advanced functions for Word and PowerPoint can be equally daunting. Additionally, finding the time for training and finding comfort with specific software can be a challenge. Microsoft Office is an essential tool for various businesses and media, offering functions such as word processing, database building, spreadsheet organization, and promotional material creation.
Mastering Microsoft Office suite applications, such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel, is crucial for gaining employment and composing, editing, saving, or printing documents. These applications are available on PCs, Macs, and the cloud with Microsoft 365.
Is it better to use Excel or Word?
Word and Excel invoice templates are based on the nature of the invoicing task. Word is suitable for text-heavy or less numerically complex tasks, while Excel offers robust calculation capabilities and comprehensive data management tools for more complex scenarios. For simpler invoice management, consider using the InvoiceOnline service for quick and free creation in your browser. Evaluating the frequency of invoicing, the level of detail required, and preference for design versus data management can help make the best choice.
What are the disadvantages of Access over Excel?
Access is a complex and advanced software in the Microsoft Office suite, requiring experience in financial and data analysis, as well as programming knowledge for certain functions. It is the most complicated and advanced software, and while it offers charting and plotting options, it is not as advanced as Excel’s premium features for visualizing data. To create neat and sorted databases, users need to have strong training and planning, as well as the ability to link tables, allow editing permits, and create complex queries and reports.
Which is easy MS Word or Excel?
MS Word and MS Excel are essential software programs in the Microsoft Office suite, both widely used in Windows operating systems. MS Word is a word processing software used for writing essays, letters, and notes, making text editing easier and enabling users to take printouts. It is useful for teachers, students, working professionals, and freelancers, and can be enhanced with various tools like fonts, colors, and designs. MS Excel, on the other hand, is a more complex software program that requires users to understand and utilize the menu bar tools for performing tasks.
Both programs are commonly used in Windows operating systems and can be used for various office-related tasks. Understanding the differences between these software programs can help users make the best choice for their needs.
Is Excel easy or hard?
Learning Excel can be challenging for beginners, but understanding the basics is a simple first step. As one uses Excel in daily operations, they become more familiar with its functionality. Daily practice allows mastering more complicated features and tools. Anyone can learn Excel by making a time commitment and engaging with online learning modules. Excel skills can provide valuable insights through analysis, and mastering it depends on exploring its best use cases. The difficulty of learning Excel can vary depending on the desired task.
Does Access work like Excel?
Access and Excel are two distinct tools used for data manipulation and numerical analysis respectively. Access is a database, while Excel is a spreadsheet. Both can work together and share data, and sometimes even use elements of both. The choice depends on the task at hand. Knowing how to use both tools can help determine the best solution for your requirements. Some users prefer using both Access and Excel for optimal results, while others believe Access is worth using in conjunction with Excel.
Is Access harder than Excel?
Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access are two robust data analysis tools utilized by Microsoft. Microsoft Excel is a user-friendly software that allows users to create dashboards and formulas with relative ease. In contrast, Microsoft Access is designed for database management and establishing connections. Microsoft Excel is an older application software, whereas MS Access is the more recently developed, sophisticated, and intricate product. Both tools are utilized for the purposes of data analysis and report generation.
Is it better to make a chart in Excel or Word?
In order to create a chart in Word, it is first necessary to create it in Excel and then copy it to another Office program. This method is optimal for data that is subject to frequent alteration, thereby guaranteeing that the chart consistently reflects the most recent numerical values. To create a basic chart from its fundamental components, select the “Insert Chart” option, choose the desired chart type, and double-click on it. This will guarantee that the chart will always reflect the most recent data.
📹 Beginner’s Guide to Microsoft Word
If you like this video, here’s my entire playlist of Word tutorials: http://bit.ly/2FY6NVT Learn the basics of effectively using Microsoft …
This was an excellent course! I’ve been tasked by my customer to create a database using Access, but I have never used Access before. I watched a few other tutorials, but they were either outdated, over simplified, or targeted to a user not familiar with a computer at all, providing more information than a generally experienced Windows user needs. This course is streamlined with clear, concise directions and lots of hands on examples. I created a database alongside Kevin, during the article and it’s easy to pause or rewind if it gets ahead of you, or you need further clarification of a step. I will definitely subscribe to more of these articles. Great direction, thanks Kevin!
This was an amazing tutorial to refresh my brain on my Microsoft Access class from 2001. I am an independent bookseller and have an affiliate site where I can get an Excel report of all of the info, and way more than I even need. Now I have all of my customers entered, the books they’ve purchased, dates, sales, commissions, etc. It’s so nice to just click their name and see their entire order history rather than scrolling through a bunch of cells. Thank you!!!
My name is Sumani Kudus and I’m perusal this article from Ghana, West Africa. I’m a student of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Your article has really made Access soo simple for me. I’m having a presentation on Access and with the help of your article I’m pretty sure everything will be easy for me. Thank you!
I have to admit that by perusal excellent programmes that my knowledge of both Microsoft Access/Excel is of absolute perfection-impeccably flawless and immaculately excellent to the highest degree! People may sound that I am cocky/arrogant, but you have to AGGRESSIVELY believe in your ability to make it! Thank you very much for the perfect articles, it has benefited/inspired me!
Thank you so much for this article Kevin! I’m trying to take a large, unwieldy spreadsheet and create a database that will tell me what 3rd party vendors are going to be at which site and the date. You’ve given me enough information to take a crack at it. Your style of explanation is easygoing and understandable. You truly have the heart of a teacher! I’ve subscribed and liked!
This is amazing… truly a work of art. With your help Kevin, you are going to help me be SO successful in the early stages of my career. The lack of this knowledge throughout companies is mindblowing and you’re really giving so much information in such a great and digestible way. Thank you sincerely.
Another great tutorial! Thank you. Is it too soon in an introduction tutorial to mention some best practices? *Create field names w/o spaces – this will be of value / ease in queries. *In each table, create a record ID field that is separate / unique from any User readable ID code. *In each table, create a Date_Created field. You may never need to look at it, but it’s very handy when troubleshooting. *Name the table with tbl_ prefix. This will create clarity when the database eventually has a Customer table, a Customer form, a Customer report, etc.
Thanks for this article, Kevin. You have helped me a lot. I have had to learn how to utilize Access in one week, and because of your tutorial, I’m well on my way. I would love another article on Access. I am in the health profession, so I obviously need some help with the database part of my brain. Thanks so much. I really appreciate your articles.
Thank you so much for the article. I always wanted to see how you can use Access. No article in this world was briefly explained except this article. Learnt a lot and now I think I am gonna start loving access just like the way I love PowerPoint. You are such a great person. Also for the first time I have heard Kevin saying “Hey Everyone Kevin Here” instead of “Hi Everyone Kevin here”. 1000 thank you’s from me. 🙂
This website is best of the best, which never fails you. I have been struggling with Access in books and articles. However, this article pinpoint the essentials in half an hour and take you by the hand the necessities all you need to know. Then it leaves up to you to delve into deeper understanding thru other resources. Excellent. This, all in all, unlike others, that give you a huge info and bog you down. HEY, this succinct and effective principle also apply to his other articles that I watched. He’s a genius in teaching, and knows the wants of greenhorns. Two thumbs up!!:washhands::washhands:👍👍
Thanks for this article Kevin! I use MS Access a lot and have done for years. It’s so powerful, I’ve been using it to transfer data from a website to a desktop accounts software and much more. But do you have any thoughts on the future of Access? I keep hearing rumours that it might go away at some point.
This article is just what I was looking for! I have taken many comp sci courses but my last class, which was an intro to bioinformatics, did not cover this software. I have a new opportunity for work and I need experience with Access and this article was so helpful. Just the right amount of detail, loved the examples. Thank you so much.
Great intro to Access, Kevin. And it’ll work fine provided you’re willing to stay away from writing actual program code. But you’re setting up people to have serious problems with field names if they decide to go deeper into programming in Access – with the underlying MS Office coding language, VBA (Visual Basic for Applications). As I’m sure you know, when referencing field names in your code you should make them easy to type in AND make their actual data type recognizable within the code. Putting spaces in field names, for example, creates problems. The ‘space’ in the field name “Customer ID” you created would create problems for the built-in compiler. A better strategy is to use common linking characters (like we used to have to do in DOS or Windows file names). So simply using “Customer_ID” as the field name will make coding MUCH simpler. Also, it’s useful to use a prefix to imply the data type. I use lower case single letters. But many programmers use three lower case letters, which gives you even more flexibility. I use n (numeric), s (string (straight text)), lower-case l (logical – yes/no) etc …. So, the numeric customer ID field name would then by “nCustomer_ID” (I’d probably just use “nCustNum” or “nCustID”). I recognize there’s no real need to do this at the level you’re starting at. But if you want to build a real-world useful system in Access you’re likely to want to branch out into VBA at some point. So best to start off on the right foot to avoid having to rewrite the whole application (database) again.
I have an exam in less than 12 hours, and just 2 days ago, my school suddenly decided to use MS Access in our exam, a software I’ve never even heard of, and don’t have access to at home. Hoping this article will at least make me somewhat less hopeless for the database portion of the exam, thank you so much for making a concise and easy to understand article
Great tutorial! Some Qs: I need to attach small photos/thumbnails to each record. Can a field in an Access record take an image as a data type? Also, I don’t have a feel for the capacity of Access, how many records, and how many tables. Let’s say I have your cookie database with up to 10,000 customers. Each record has a field image of about 100kb. Do you think this will work?
Hi, Kevin. Thank you for another great tutorial. I really like your articles – always straight to the point: I learned a lot in a short time. I use MS Access quite a bit and it makes all kind of data-tracking a lot easier for me. I build my own databases. There is one thing I have been trying to figure out: database sharing, and, specifically, sharing over Internet (not just on a local network). So far, I have only done sharing while having a back-end of the database sitting on the local server and the front-ends being on my colleagues’ individual computers, connected with each other over LAN. That seem to work OK, but only while being on the local network. With the current situation, when many people work from their homes, all over the World, connected with each other over Internet, what would be the best way of sharing an Access database? What are the limitations? For example, can the database have all types of data type (i.e. pictures), fields such as attachments (which normally would allow multiple documents and types of files attached), etc. Could you please show a step-by-step example? Thank you so much for your great website!
Access seems a very sophisiticated database app. But it seems they have never managed to make it work really well in web-based environments or other multi-user applications. Acess can be very useful for preparing reports from other databases. It is excellent for creating applications quickly, for prototyping for example. You can produce a working database app very quickly. Not sure about making it rugged and handle record locking, conflict between users etc. Access seems not be able to used via emulation tools. Seems you need a real windows machine. From what I have read, Access cannot be made to run on an Apple M1 machine. But I do have a soft spot for access. A database can help you be much more consistent with data, better data checking etc. Those are my impressions from using Access over many years. I’d be interested in your comments.
Hi! Kevin thanks for this great article. I have a small business where I make copies of key for people who have lost or damaged their keys. I am interested in building a database that can help track our business performance. Some of the needs… Two data entry forms (one for the office admin who places the order, a second data entry form for the technician making the keys) Data Entities( Vendor | Product | Vehicle | Orders | Invoice etc). Please do have any article that can help me achieve this, send the link to me plz
Thank you so much ❤.. I was struggling so much with understanding how this actually works .. I have read book, I watched 6 hrs long articles but I still was not able to grasp the core of it, I mean I learned how to make tables, forms, reports but was not able to grasp how actually it works because those articles and books were teaching how to use access and not what it is and how it works .. again Thanks a lot ❤❤
Great article, helped me decide to buy microsoft for business rather than just personal since business includes microsoft access. I’ve used all sorts of database solutions and EBS stuff (SAP, oracle EBS, even stuff like quickbooks etc) at various jobs but it looks like I can get much of this core functionality for incredibly cheap using access! Perfect for a new small business just starting out. Thank you!
Thanks. Followed along and made the example here. Sure wish you had made follow-up articles though to go through the different modes, menus, make dialogues and tabbed windows/dialogues, etc to really go from absolute beginner to understanding and being able to take full advantage of this application and all features…..
MY goodness, I’m an old man that learned how to use MS Works, an old suite of tools, including databases. I still use it to this today to keep track of my non-profit for our memberships and subscriptions. MS Works is basic, basic basic. Great for this old man. I’ve tried using my MS Access program the past 10 years but could never figure out how to make it work as easily as it’s been using Works. I’m going to try again. The big thing I see are the new terms, not in Works, like Query. Forms were always my biggest Waterloo, as I wanted to create a form at the beginning of Access. I think I see now that I need to create the different tools of Access in a certain order and the other options, like forms then appear in the menu, but not until? It’s been really hard for this old dog to learn new tricks. I’m retired now, so I’m going to give it a go. I googled searching for a tutorial on converting an existing Works database into an Access database so that I didn’t have to do all the adjusting, creating, etc. etc., but it looks like that kind of a cool wizard does not exist. Help me lord, here I go.
Awesome tutorial. Even though Access is being used less and less every year, I still recommend that any aspiring database admin, data engineer, data analyst or data scientist learn its basic uses. Even if you have no intentions of using it long term, It’s a great little desktop database tool that to learn the fundamentals of any database tool be it on prem or on the cloud!
Thanks for another brilliant instructional article Kevin – you certainly have the knack at condensing a ton of information into an interesting, easy to undertand delivery. Absolutely brilliant! Just wondering whether you’d have the time/inclination to make a article explaining exactly what MS Windows Server is for, and how to use it, please?
Thank You! I would like to use this when grading students and would love to have a article showing som tips and tricks. I.E. Different topics or assignments in the course and the grade for one or a couple of approximately 20 different criterias in the course. Later on for the student to see the progression and what has been graded as a nice feedback. For example a report in science, subject is chemistry, and the grading is on a) how the report is done, the report structure, b) how the student performed during laboration, practical grade, c) the topic and facts conserning the laboration, d) the conclutions conserning the laboration…. And later on a test and what was shown in that, maybee 5 different skills/criterias that shall be graded… And later on a new test or a new laboration. As a result the student and the teacher can see each of the criterias for one course (approximately 20 criterias, or more). And the people invited to see this (i.e. the teacher, the student and the mentor/parent of the student) can easily see what was shown all togeather and when or in what assignement. * Do this type of article already exist? Where? * Can you please try to make such a article? // Anna Foberg, teacher (Sweden)
Great article. I used Access extensively while working as an analyst for mid ($500M) and large (>$10B) companies. Can you do more Access articles please. Also share any insight as to Access development path. It seems like MSFT is putting more query and database-like tools into Excel. I wish they would continue to develop Access more.
Exclusive access? At 20:08, when I click on “Form”, I get a warning “You do not have exclusive access to the database at this time. If you proceed to make changes, you may not be able to save them later.” After the next section, saving the form 22:14, I am unable to save it due to this warning “You do not have exclusive access to the database. Your design changes cannot be saved at this time. Do you want to close without saving your changes?”. How do I get around this? I did import your database rather than build one. FYI, thank you so much for making this so basic and easy to follow. Every other article I have found, including those on Microsoft doesn’t teach it step by step from the basics. Nice!
It helped me a lot for using MS Access, and for that reason it thank you for your tutorial. I also learn that MS Access use for making data sheet . I have a single quary that how to make article of a window any recording default software or any other software must download if name will be helpful 🤔😎😊😁