Tough Choice - Excel or Access?

[Travis Krucker]

Alright I have to decide which to implement (Access or Excel) for my company based off of this requirement.

I will recieve a list of UPC barcodes specific to each stores' inventory. Off of that List I must match it with a master list of UPC barcodes to determine which product is in each store. After that I would like to assign each barcode with a corresponding name and based on the occurences of each name generate an inventory count. I would like to know if this would best be done using excel or access. I am also familiar with macros that would automate the process in excel, but the code is beyond me. If someone is an excel guru and would like to generate a few simple lines of code that would be greatly appreciated!

[MMcCarthy]

Sounds to me like this would best be done with a simple access application.

You could set up a master barcode table with the barcode as the unique identifier field and a second field with the corresponding name you want to use for that bar code.

Then using queries you could match that master list to the inventory files you receive from the stores and generate your inventory count without having to actually create new data tables.

Seems like the simplest way to do it to me.

Mary

[Travis Krucker]

Access Language

Do you think you could provide me with the simple access code that would allow me to Join the two tables to generate my inventory count? I have the general idea, but the exact syntax still evades me. Thank you so much for your help!

[Marknut]

Learning Access would completely change your idea of data and how to work with it. The problem is, it's not the easiest thing to learn on your own. If time is a factor, go with what you know, but this is definitely an Access project. I would recommend searching for a quick online tutorial of building tables, queries, and forms. Once you have a project started, I'd be happy to help with any obstacles you encounter.

[MMcCarthy]

Travis

Have a look at this insight on table structures. Our experts generally don't have the time or the inclination to do project work for you. However, if you make the effort to put it together yourself they will do everything they can to help you out.

Mary