Database

[taichiperson]

Can anyone recommend a good database please? I'm self employed, running Tai Chi classes (who would have thought?) and need to make up some registers with phone numbers etc. I've used Word but it's pretty cumbersome laying it all out, and I can't manipulate the data.

Ideally I'd like Access - I have Microsoft Office 2010 Home and Student which doesn't include Access, and it seems I'd have to buy Office Professional to get it. That's a whacking £300+! My OS is Windows Vista, my laptop is an HP G62.

[The Builder]

I use "Open Office". The database module can generate .XLS files that are accepted by "Excel"

It's "open source" software, so it's free to use.

[The Builder]

...................

https://www.openoffice.org/

[taichiperson]

I have Excel - it's a spreadsheet, can I use it as a database?

[The Builder]

Sorry about that ......... I should have said that it has a Database module as well. I was rather confusing you by saying what I use.

The database in Open Office can link to the spreadsheet module as well. No need for Excel.

The whole package is much like the MS Office package to use.

[jeffa]

As you rightly say, Excel is a spreadsheet, not a database. Which is to say, it's not a RELATIONAL database like Access, MySql, SQL Server etc.

That said, if your requirements are simple, it may very well be all you need.

[taichiperson]

Thanks The Builder - I had Openoffice on my previous laptop and had forgotten all about it.

Jeffa, I'm not sure what you mean by 'relational' database - which probably indicates that my needs are pretty simple!!

[The Builder]

Jeffa has a good point there. Excel spreadsheet may well suit your needs. You may need to get used to formulae and/or macros to retrieve date though.

[The Builder]

^^^^ sorry "data"

[bibblebub]

if the data is fairly straightforward then using a table would let you filter entries based on the contents of the various columns

[The Builder]

From what you say, I would have thought a spreadsheet (either in OO, or Excel) would do what you want to do. I would imagine your data retrieval needs are pretty simple.

[bibblebub]

i mean to put ...a table in Excel...

[jeffa]

There's a ton and a half of web pages describing relational databases. Google if you're interested.

I would suggest you start off with Excel and see if it does everything you require. If it doesn't, the fact that you will have already stored your data electronically in Excel will make it simple enough to upload into a proper database.

[The Builder]

Bibbles has put it much clearer than I have.

I use the OO spreadsheet for my accounts. I can query it easily from the spreadsheet's simple tables of data.

[Captain2]

Off topic, I know, but where are you taichiperson? I've been looking to join a Tai Chi club/course for a while, without any luck, in the Wilmslow area. Any societies or websites you could point me to? Thanks.

[taichiperson]

Hi Cap - I'm in North Cumbria. Try the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain (www.taichiunion.com). Are you wanting health based gentle exercise, or a martial art? If the former, also look for Chi Gung/Qigong. If the latter, a good indication of the martial side is if the teacher offers weapons forms - sabra, sword, stick etc.

[taichiperson]

That should read 'sabre' not sabra!

[Captain2]

Thanks TCP - the gentle form will do!!

[taichiperson]

Thanks all. Looking at OO database - that's waaay too complicated, I'm familiar with Excel so will use that.

Good luck Cap, my classes are at the gentle end of the spectrum, but I do dabble with throwing people about every now and again :D

[joko]

microsoft Access is database software
http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/access/


but also openoffice will have similar