Re: collection analysis database STEVE BLACK@FACULTY@ACADEMICAFFAIRS 14 Jul 2004 18:43 UTC
One advantage is that Access has greater filtering and sorting capabilities. Excel is capable of sorting and filtering, too, but you can't include as many criteria at one time. For example, in Excel you can do a custom filter on a column of data with only two criteria, say "cancelled" OR "Ceased". If you wanted to also filter "delayed" at the same time, you can't. There is a way around that, but it requires making copies of the worksheet, which gets confusing and messy in very short order. Opinions vary, but I think either program can do the job. If you're familiar with one and not the other, I'd recommend going with what you're most comfortable with. It is pretty easy to transfer data from one to the other. So if you find you want the filtering or reporting functions of Access, or need the mathematical functions in Excel, you can always copy over the data. Steve Black Reference, Serials, and Instruction Librarian The College of Saint Rose 392 Western Avenue Albany, NY 12203-1419 blacks@strose.edu (518)458-5494 -----Original Message----- From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Bernadette Jones Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 9:52 AM To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: Re: [SERIALST] collection analysis database Could someone explain the advantages of using Access over Excel? Thanks. Bernadette Jones Saint Michael's College Library Winooski Park Colchester, VT 05439 e-mail: bjones@smcvt.edu Phone: 802-654-2404 -----Original Message----- From: Sandhya D. Srivastava [mailto:LIBRSDS@MAIL1.HOFSTRA.EDU] Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 9:13 AM To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: Re: [SERIALST] collection analysis database Hi Tracy I have created such a database using MS Access. It is easier to use and allows you to create queries on the subject areas. It contains all our accounting information, our periodical statistics, and all the formats that we receive a title i.e. print w/free ejournal, ejournal, microform, bundled packages, etc. If you have any questions on how to build you can contact me at librsds@hofstra.edu . Sandhya Sandhya D. Srivastava Assistant Professor Serials Librarian Hofstra University Axinn Library 123 Hofstra University Hempstead, New York 11550 Telephone: (516) 463 - 5959 Fax: (516) 463 - 6438 Email: librsds@hofstra.edu >>> tracy.englert@USM.EDU 7/13/2004 4:51:08 PM >>> My library needs to create a database to analyze our collection such as paper journal use, ejournal use, database & document delivery (infotrieve) use and circulation & ill use/stats. We are a SIRSI site (Unicorn version 2002-G2002). Has anyone else created such a database/system before we start? thank you, Tracy Tracy Ann Koch Englert, Media Librarian The University of Southern Mississippi 118 College Drive #5053 Hattiesburg, MS 39406 601.266.6396 601.266.6033 (fax) tracy.englert@usm.edu