Hi All:
The wisdom of the database wizards of this site is required and would be greatly appreciated.
For years and years I have been merrily using Excel and automating my applications through the use of VBA. This has served my users well.
Some of my creations are now being used on network and shared drives by many users. As you can imagine, this is causing problems, particularly with sequential input, changes, etc.
I'm thinking that I should now use Excel as a user interface only, and create future databases using Access, or whatever is the easiest dbase to learn. Here's where I need your help:
1) Is it easy to input/extract data from Access using VBA within Excel?
2) Does the user have to purchase expensive Access software from Sir Gates or is the basic Access dbase software available as a free download?
3) I believe Outlook uses Access to store info, and I use Outlook; however, have never purchased or installed Access. Does Outlook use Access?
4) Any suggestions as to how I can get up to speed real quick using Access through Excel.
5) I notice software advertised on this site: "CodeBase for Excel". Has anybody used this software? Wish to share your experiences with this particular software, god, bad or otherwise?
My primary objective is to continue using Excel, as I am able to develop "user friendly & bullet proof interfaces" in this platform. I do; however, see the need to start using a more sophisticated database program.
Any Recommendations and suggestions would be most welcome.
Thanks
Ted.........