Multi-Level Data

[soljarag]

Hello,



I'm pretty new to Access so I was wanting some advice on how to approach this problem.


I run FEA jobs and each run has multiple result parameters per load step. My ultimate goal is to compare each parameter from each run for every load step.

right now I'm doing it in excel, but I was wondering how to do it in Access. Should I create a new table for each Run? then how could I compare all the "Param1" data for every run?

[Micron]

Should I create a new table for each Run?

Absolutely not. The 1st thing you need to do when designing a db is forget what you know about Excel as it doesn't relate at all. Sheet is column based, db is row based. Rows of one table are "related" to rows in another (hence relational database) by common or related data. This is very basic stuff and quite involved and really is beyond the scope of a forum like this. Maybe someone will think differently on that.

Introductory books and/or web tutorials are when you need to start - if this is warranted. Sometimes a spreadsheet is the right tool.

Here's all the introductory stuff I have. Ignore any of it at your own risk

Normalization Parts I, II, III, IV, and V
http://rogersaccessblog.blogspot.com...on-part-i.html
and/or
http://holowczak.com/database-normalization/

Entity-Relationship Diagramming: Part I, II, III and IV
http://rogersaccessblog.blogspot.ca/...ng-part-i.html

How do I Create an Application in Microsoft Access?
http://rogersaccessblog.blogspot.ca/...cation-in.html

Important for success:
One source about how to name things - http://access.mvps.org/access/general/gen0012.htm
What not to use in names - http://allenbrowne.com/AppIssueBadWord.html
About Auto Numbers
- http://www.utteraccess.com/wiki/Autonumbers
- http://access.mvps.org/access/general/gen0025.htm

The evils of lookup fields - http://access.mvps.org/access/lookupfields.htm
Table and PK design tips - http://www.fmsinc.com/free/newtips/primarykey.asp
About calculated table fields - http://allenbrowne.com/casu-14.html
About Multi Value Fields -http://www.mendipdatasystems.co.uk/multivalued-fields/4594468763

[soljarag]

I want to end up with being able to generate a chart like this for each parameter...

[soljarag]

Absolutely not. The 1st thing you need to do when designing a db is forget what you know about Excel as it doesn't relate at all. Sheet is column based, db is row based. Rows of one table are "related" to rows in another (hence relational database) by common or related data. This is very basic stuff and quite involved and really is beyond the scope of a forum like this. Maybe someone will think differently on that.

Thanks! I posted my 2nd post before I read your post... I'll check out those links now

[Micron]

Based on my experience with Access charts which admittedly might be out of date, only an abcessed tooth brings more pain and frustration. Have recently read that they have lost rather than gained features.

If I had Access data to chart it would be done by Excel since exchanging data between the apps can be done so many ways.

[soljarag]

ok, I just discovered "Pivot Tables" in excel, and it is exactly what I needed. However your comment: "Sheet is column based, db is row based. Rows of one table are "related" to rows in another (hence relational database) by common or related data" was a HUGE help on getting them to work how I needed them to.

Thanks!

[Micron]

glad to have helped!