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  1. #1
    Bkper087 is offline Advanced Beginner
    Windows 7 64bit Access 2013
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    May 2014
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    Trying to Understand Relationships

    I know there is a lot out there about this topic, but that is part of the problem. It's overwhelming and either too simple or complex.



    I run a local chapter of a national non profit. I am attempting to create a volunteer and donor prospecting database. I currently have one in excel, but I can see the advantage of using Access. What I envision crossing over from excel is that I would have one "master" spreadsheet that holds the name of every prospect in the database. I would then have sub tables for address and contact information, financial contribution history, and lists detailing community involvement such as a table of the local Rotary or Kiwanis club membership. The point being that you build a volunteer profile for each person on the master list. They wont be involved with every sub table organization, etc. but the sub tables all work to build a case for those on the master list.

    Here is where I get lost. In excel I had one master spreadsheet with additional spreadsheets feeding it information through formulas. The main one had names, phone numbers, etc, but also had additional columns that were populated from additional spreadsheets using a look up function. This way I could have a separate spreadsheet for each community organization, financial campaign contribution, service club, etc. I found it made it easier to alter and read the information. I want to do the same basic thing in Access.

    How do I set up my database so I can upload an excel file that has name, organization, job title, etc. and have it feed into my primary table? If I have 6,000 names on my list (which I do) I don't want to have to manually type in fk for each row in a sub table every time I upload a new list. Plus, how will I know they are not already on the primary table?

    I hope this makes sense. If not just ask and I will try to clarify. Thanks for any and all help in advance.

  2. #2
    June7's Avatar
    June7 is online now VIP
    Windows 7 64bit Access 2010 32bit
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    A separate sheet (table) for each organization, contribution, club, etc. is not a normalized structure. You do not want to do the same thing in Access. Forget whatever structure the Excel has when designing relational database. Properly design the relational database then figure out how to transfer the data from Excel.

    Won't this upload be a one-time event and then Excel will be out of the picture?
    How to attach file: http://www.accessforums.net/showthread.php?t=70301 To provide db: copy, remove confidential data, run compact & repair, zip w/Windows Compression.

  3. #3
    Bkper087 is offline Advanced Beginner
    Windows 7 64bit Access 2013
    Join Date
    May 2014
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    81
    So I should just make one giant spreadsheet? I thought the idea behind Access was that it eliminated cells with no information in them. If I have 6,000 profiles, but only 500 of them gave a financial contribution in 2014, wouldn't it be a waste for the 5,500 empty cells? Maybe I am way off track...

  4. #4
    June7's Avatar
    June7 is online now VIP
    Windows 7 64bit Access 2010 32bit
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    No, I did not mean to suggest one giant sheet. I might have misinterpreted what you meant by a sheet for each organization, contribution, club and how this data relates. Maybe the Excel does already represent a relational structure - that would be rare in my experience.
    How to attach file: http://www.accessforums.net/showthread.php?t=70301 To provide db: copy, remove confidential data, run compact & repair, zip w/Windows Compression.

Please reply to this thread with any new information or opinions.

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