total noob needs some guidance please

[MSTILLMAN]

Hi,
im trying to create a database that can give us a part number by selecting one of many sizes,options materials.
i have a table created with part number, and columns that have an x in them for that version, i would like to have a page( form) that i can have either radio buttons or drop down menus so i can select all the variants i rrequire and the part number shows up.
we have over 255000 variant and are using an excel spread sheet with filtering , but its so massive its taking forever to load or do anything with.
there are 52 columns with the various options in.
i really dont know where to start and could really do with some guidance.
the items i need to select are,
size, manual/ not manual, spring pack, cw,ccw,al,t,s,l,fixing,standard, high temp, low temp, none, knob, standard,coated. and the result is the part number.

any guidance into this will be great and thank fully recieved
mark

[orange]

Database is very different than spreadsheet. It certainly seems, to me, that your set up warrants a database.
I suggest you work through this tutorial from RogersAccessLibrary. By working through the tutorial you will learn some concept of database, database design and table design. You will also learn a "procedure/method" for identifying entities (tables) and attributes(fields) and relationships from a clear business description.
The result of this method is a blue print for your database.

It will be the best use of 30-60 minutes to understand several database concepts. After this, if you decide to proceed with database, you can apply what you have learned to your own situation.

[MSTILLMAN]

Thanks orange ill read it now!

[orange]

Read it, and work through it to get the benefit.