Free to use statistics add-ins / plug-ins?

[SurreyNick]

Does anyone know of any free to use statistics add-ins / plug-ins for Access 2010?

There is a paid-for product from FMS called Total Access Statistics and if I was anything other than a hobbyist and/or flush with cash I might consider buying it. But I'm not, and as I'm only ever likely to create the one db I'm currently working and because I really only want to do frequency distribution and regression analysis it's a no-no.

I could export data to Excel and do the analysis but I want to include dynamic charts within forms which update as data is added and I want everything to be done hands-off behind the scenes. I expect I could do what I want using multiple queries but I suspect that would be quite involved and I wouldn't even know where to start doing it with VBA, if it's even possible. If there's a plug-in or ready-made code publicly available it could make my life a lot easier.

Does anyone know of anything?

Thanks

 

[theDBguy]

Hi Nick. Sorry, I can't help you with your quest, but maybe you can help me. If I wanted to learn about statistics, is there something like a YouTube channel you can recommend? Or a blog? Who knows, maybe after I learned enough, I might be able to help you build a statistics database. Thanks!

 

[NauticalGent]

Give Crystal's analyzer a look. It's free however, a donation I'm sure would be appreciated.

 

[Deleted member 147267]

Who knows, maybe after I learned enough, I might be able to help you build a statistics database.

I took a college night school course once. I wouldn't call it a walk in the park. Almost deeper than learning to design a good Access db!

 

[MajP]

I have coded a lot of advanced mathmatical and statistical algorithms and apps in Access and vba. I posted a few here like Dijkstra shortest path / floydwarshall https://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/posts/1675272/
Coefficients of Inbreeding

Question - calculate inbreeding

I do have a difficult project that is similar to what you are on working, that is why I approach you. OK sounds interesting. I would just post it and people will reply. It may be an area that someone has expertise. Unless it is really COI because now I know more about that than ever wanted...

www.access-programmers.co.uk

Optimization Bin Pack / Knap Sack

How to find all combinations within a constraint

I am after some code/advice for Access. I have a list of Order Numbers(Unique) and what cubic metres that each are, I also have a cost benefit per Order. I would like to run some code to be able to find every combination of Orders but within a given constraint of Cubic size (65Cube) to find...

www.access-programmers.co.uk

I have code to do frequency distributions from a recordset that may work. If you are talking simple linear regression then you can call excel functions from Access without opening Excel. If you can post some more details and some samples of what you have and what you want, it would help.

 

[theDBguy]

I have coded a lot of advanced mathmatical and statistical algorithms and apps in Access and vba. I posted a few here like Dijkstra shortest path / floydwarshall https://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/posts/1675272/
Coefficients of Inbreeding

Question - calculate inbreeding

I do have a difficult project that is similar to what you are on working, that is why I approach you. OK sounds interesting. I would just post it and people will reply. It may be an area that someone has expertise. Unless it is really COI because now I know more about that than ever wanted...

www.access-programmers.co.uk

Optimization Bin Pack / Knap Sack

How to find all combinations within a constraint

I am after some code/advice for Access. I have a list of Order Numbers(Unique) and what cubic metres that each are, I also have a cost benefit per Order. I would like to run some code to be able to find every combination of Orders but within a given constraint of Cubic size (65Cube) to find...

www.access-programmers.co.uk

I have code to do frequency distributions from a recordset that may work. If you are talking simple linear regression then you can call excel functions from Access without opening Excel. If you can post some more details and some samples of what you have and what you want, it would help.

Hi @MajP. I was looking more to "understand" statistics rather than needing to use it in a database (for now). Cheers!

 

[MajP]

Hi @MajP. I was looking more to "understand" statistics rather than needing to use it in a database (for now).

Sorry, my response was directed to the OP. If you do not have a background in stats, would say there are as many freee courses on basic statistics on the web as there are on learning to write code. For sure you can pick up a used introductory books for a couple of bucks. Being a database person I would think your focus is on Applied Statistics and data analysis where you are focusing on analyzing large data sets.

My point is that Excel has a robust statistical package. Excel makes a ton of functions available through the worksheetfunction object

List of worksheet functions available to Visual Basic

Office VBA reference topic

docs.microsoft.com

Most things in excel require a Range as an input. So these functions can often be called from Access by passing an array.
One valuable function is the GetRows method of DAO

Recordset.GetRows method (DAO)

Office developer client VBA reference documentation

docs.microsoft.com

That is how you can easily get an array to pass in for the range.

So it is highly unlikely you would need a statistical package add-in. It would be likely worth it to make a class or helper functions to make these functions easier to use in support of access objects.

 

[SurreyNick]

Hi Nick. Sorry, I can't help you with your quest, but maybe you can help me. If I wanted to learn about statistics, is there something like a YouTube channel you can recommend? Or a blog? Who knows, maybe after I learned enough, I might be able to help you build a statistics database. Thanks!

Hi DBguy
Sorry, been away from the forum for a couple of days so I have only just seen these posts. Unfortunately I can't really advise because I have not had any formal stats training, just picking up what I needed back when I was working. I did have a really good book but that was back in the 1990s and for the life of me I can't recall the title and it's probably long out of print. If I want to learn something new I tend to gravitate towards the 'for dummies' series of books and do what you mention too i.e. look for vids on YouTube.
I'm sorry I can't be of help because I would have jumped at your offer. You're one of the good guys
Nick

 

[SurreyNick]

I have code to do frequency distributions from a recordset that may work. If you are talking simple linear regression then you can call excel functions from Access without opening Excel. If you can post some more details and some samples of what you have and what you want, it would help.

Hi MajP

Thank you for the useful advice and suggestions. As always you're a mine of knowledge and intelligence and I will have a good look at what you have posted. You have hit the nail on the head too. Yes I am talking simple statistical analysis. I haven't fully fleshed out the details but it's along the lines of:

1. Conventional regression analysis to investigate the relationship between achievement and variables, such as study time, class size, frequency and number of tests, motivation etc. and then looking at and comparing the results for various student sub-populations i.e. high vs low achievers, boys vs girls, those with special educational needs etc.
2. Simple frequency distribution analysis plotting the distribution curves of exam scores (overall scores plus scores by subject topic) for the various student sub-populations looking for populations where the shape of the curve may be differently skewed and then trying to work out why.
3. The other piece of analysis that jumps to mind is scatter plotting actual achievement grades along with predicted grades looking for differentials between tutors to see if any are making predictions significantly better or worse than others, and also looking for differentials within student sub-populations, again to see if any of those predictions are significantly more or less accurate and then looking for causation.

I'm just finishing off some of the reports my son wants in this db and the context sensitive help screens, then in a few days time I will begin this [analyse data] final stage of the development.

As you know, your help has been invaluable several times already and when I know exactly what I need I'll either add to this post or start a new one. Any additional help you can offer will be gratefully received.

Nick.

 

[SurreyNick]

Give Crystal's analyzer a look. It's free however, a donation I'm sure would be appreciated.

Thanks, I will be sure to have a look.
Nick

 

[MajP]

Sounds interesting. The way it reads (without the specifics) even Excel does not support some of that functionality well. I think Excel is limited in multi variable linear regression and very rudimentary for frequency distribution best fit analysis. There are add-ins for Excel and this looks promising.

Introducing the XLSTAT Free edition

Addinsoft is proud to release a Free version of XLSTAT

www.xlstat.com

.
I doubt anyone would make an analysis toolpack for Access, just not the right tool for the job. Some times these add-ins expose enough that you can automate them as well. Unfortunately often they do not. In other words there may be no way to expose the functionality from Access.
I might be reading too much into what level of detail you want. If you feel you can do everything in Excel then I think I can help in making it more "behind the scenes". Then you can do your inputs in Access but analysis in Excel behind the scenes and reporting in Access. However, Access graphing is pretty limited to what you can do in Excel

I could export data to Excel and do the analysis but I want to include dynamic charts within forms which update as data is added and I want everything to be done hands-off behind the scenes.

However, if I read this correctly that type of analysis is why data analysts get paid. It is unlikely you can just code a magic button that provides a solution. You need someone to look at the data, explore it, and determine correct techniques for analysis and reporting. However, you may be able to build the tools to assist in presenting and interpreting the data.

 

[SurreyNick]

You are most likely right MajP. It may be that I need to scale back my ambition, or more accurately my son's ambition. The purpose of the OP was to try and establish the limitation of the software either with or without add-ins and go from there. I am excited about the potential you have offered up and keen to explore it, so the next step is for me to nail down exactly what my son wants to have, because it's also possible I'm envisioning something grander than he is. Armed with this I can be more specific herein.

"I'll be back."

Nick.