Arrays within a cell

[Super Suarez]

Hi

What's the best way of storing arrays of data within a cell? Or should I be creating fields to the size of the array.

The size of the arrays are unknown at the moment, so I'm wondering the best way to go.

Hope you can help

 

[pr2-eugin]

Creating a Function to perform Bubble sort might be easier I guess?

 

[Super Suarez]

I don't think I need a sort. Just advice as to whether an array in a cell is the best thing to do ie something comma delimited (9,4,7,2,1,4) or should I write each entry to a cell and create fields as the arrays get bigger.

Or perhaps there's another way I've not thought of

 

[pr2-eugin]

I am confused.. Can you give another shot at explaining?

Or see if I have got your requirement right.. You have a filed that has the list of numbers delimited by comma as 9,4,7,2,1,4.. In the next new column you need them in the perfect Sort order 1,2,4,4,7,9.. Or am I missing something very basic here?

 

[jdraw]

Paul,
I don't see where you're getting the need for SORT.

Super Suarez,
You may want to step back and tell us what the business issue/opportunity is in plain English. Cells are part of the spreadsheet jargon -- Database, Access uses records or rows and tables. Access can handle arrays, but it doesn't store arrays as such.
Clarification please.

 

[pr2-eugin]

Paul,
I don't see where you're getting the need for SORT.

JD, I imagined that's what the OP was looking for..

Hi

What's the best way of storing arrays of data within a cell? Or should I be creating fields to the size of the array.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

A "cell" in either Access OR Excel is an "atomic" item in that it normally cannot be subdivided. An array is NOT an atomic item and doesn't belong in a cell, whatever you imagine that to be.

If your dataset includes a string-like element with comma delimiters, it is a SINGLE STRING regardless of how many commas and digits it holds. The ONLY time this is the right thing to do is when the string will never have to be separated into its parts. If you need to select a specific digit out of the comma-separated string, your data design is already wrong.

 

[Galaxiom]

The values should be stored as separate records in a related table. This will allow any number of items to be stored.

BTW Paul misread, "What's the best way of storing arrays of data within a cell?"