Is Access the right software?

[Sagacity61]

Hi all;

I currently have an Excel spreadsheet of around 400 TV shows listing their name, number of seasons, episodes, their titles and what hard drive they are stored on.
This is getting very unwieldy when trying to view and update each new entry.
Should I persist with using Excel for this or would Access be a better app for this function?

TIA
Sagacity61

[isladogs]

Yes it could be perfect for an Access databases though you may well need to restructure your data to create normalised tables in Access

[Dave14867]

Yes, Access is perfect for this. I recently created exactly what you are looking for I believe, you can fill in all the specifics for a movie or series. Let me know.

[ranman256]

yes. the right program for the right job.

[Mickjav]

I built somethng like that 15 years ago access is perfect for the job but if you are using a list of actors and actresses this can grow Mine ended up with over 5 million entries in a many to many table so keep away fror combo boxes for large lists have a look at what I'm building at the min it will help with adding data to large recordsets
P.S This was originally part of my Films db
https://databasedreams.createaforum....ect-status-96/

hope it helps

mick

[ArviLaanemets]

Based on your description in post #1, it will be a small and simple Access database - easy one to create.

At same time, I can't see any reasons why you have any difficulties maintaining same data in Excel:
1. A table for TV Shows (with ~400 entries the table will be minuscule);
2. A table for TV Show Episodes (about 20000-40000 entries, I think)
Define tables as Tables. For Shows Table, use Conditional formatting to indicate whenever duplicate show is entered. For Episodes Table, use AutoFilter feature to filter the Show whenever you want to add new episode, and add a new Episode at bottom. And you can have any number of different Reports on separate sheets whenever you need them.

[Mickjav]

I'm out at the min but when home I'll post some screenshots of my system it's still in the main program so wont be uploading a download for a long time

Mick

[Mickjav]

Based on your description in post #1, it will be a small and simple Access database - easy one to create.

At same time, I can't see any reasons why you have any difficulties maintaining same data in Excel:
1. A table for TV Shows (with ~400 entries the table will be minuscule);
2. A table for TV Show Episodes (about 20000-40000 entries, I think)
Define tables as Tables. For Shows Table, use Conditional formatting to indicate whenever duplicate show is entered. For Episodes Table, use AutoFilter feature to filter the Show whenever you want to add new episode, and add a new Episode at bottom. And you can have any number of different Reports on separate sheets whenever you need them.

DO NOT Create two tables there is no need at all and it will give you a lot of problems down the Road

As you can see below the information for both Films and TV series are the same

The Image below shows a film with list of Actors


The image below shows a film but wth related follow on films


The one below shows a TV series the only difference is I haven't attached an image


This is how I use the information


You can should you wish download my books Db and look at the tables as they would do what you need with a few edits.
https://databasedreams.createaforum.com/books-database/

[isladogs]

Disagree.
You do need two tables (and quite possibly more) as suggested by Arvil to ensure your data is normalised.
Using one table will result in significant duplication of data.

[Mickjav]

Each tv episodes has it's own name plus as you can see an episode number look at the Images above plus look on the IMDB Also there downloads

There is no duplication as I have 800,000 items not one a duplicate.

[Dave14867]

I have several tables in mine, it allows you to enter TV shows, series, movies, etc.

[isladogs]

Each tv episodes has it's own name plus as you can see an episode number look at the Images above plus look on the IMDB Also there downloads

There is no duplication as I have 800,000 items not one a duplicate.

Yes there is.
For example, in your third screenshot, you have repeated entries for The Crown, Scorpion etc. Splitting the data into two (or more) tables prevents this

[Mickjav]

Just had a look at mine while the main table contains all films and tv Episodes I do have a table used to filter the Tv series on the my films screen above

When I create the films db I intend I will keep it as is as has worked for 17 years without issue

The screen below allows you to enter sets so you can filter plus has a few other uses.

[Mickjav]

Yes there is.
For example, in your third screenshot, you have repeated entries for The Crown, Scorpion etc. Splitting the data into two (or more) tables prevents this

Yes the crown is a tv series but each episode it like a film they are given there own names and numbers so in fact we are both right I handle this in the post I posted before.

Edit Look at image 2 thats a film yet it has a number of follow ons are they all star trek:??

[ArviLaanemets]

If your screenshot are from your Excel App, then obviously you are using Excel forms. I did mention Excel Tables (Insert>Table). Excel strengths are immediate/fast calculations, filters, etc. I prefer to avoid forms and VBA in Excel, except very specific cases - and then with consideration.

About using several tables. When you port your DB to Access, you'll have to use several tables anyway. Otherwise your Access DB will be worse than your current Excel DB anyway.

And I myself have always (i.e. last 20 years I have worked with MS Office) build my Excel applications following as much as possible same principles like used in relational databases.