Excel editing functionality in access?

[ogg13]

This being my first post, id like to thank everyone who contributes here.. ive been watching this site for a while, and its been a simply amazing source of knowledge.

Now that the sucking up is over, HELP! 8)

Im developing a database that is going to take over tracking point to point connections between servers and switches in our data center. The system that the users currently use now is a simple flat excel spreadsheet.

Im wondering if there is a way to allow users to enter data in a format that they are familiar with... Tables 'look' the same but unfortunately for the people that I work with they dont (seem to) have the mass editing capabilities that they current work with.

Im using access 2002 currently at work, shortly I will be on 2003. Ive tried to play with the excel add ins that are included with my version, but I havent seen any way to directly link the excel add in to a table in my database, and definately havent found a way to pick and choose information to be manipulated in the cells (via code) in the excel interface.

Id really prefer not to have to have users use excel outside of the database in any form. I am aware that I could probably achieve what I want via importing excel files in the background and what not, but this doesnt achieve the goal that i am after, which is migrating the users out of excel and into access.

I hope I have explained myself thoroughly enough. If anyone has any input on a direction that I should look it would be appreciated. Im not the best with access, however I would consider myself intermediate to expert with coding and whatnot.

Thank you!

 

[ogg13]

Naw, im the person creating the database. They used, in the past, a flat excel spreadsheet, and for familiarities sake, im hoping that I can use an excel spreadsheet add-in on a form I design to allow the same editing functions that excel allows, to input numbers of new records with, for example, some consecutive fields into my tables.

ie server101, server 102, server 103, etc - can create a billion of these consecutively numbered records in excel, but in an access table, each needs to be hand entered, not to mention im not, upon first glance, able to copy and paste entire records, making small changes to key fields.

I guess what im really looking for is someone who has used the excel spreadsheet add ins alot. I cant seem to find a way to reference the individual cells in the spreadsheet add in by code, and also cannot find a way to populate the add ins cells with data from my tables. Hell, it may not be possible, in which case ill have to explore other options. Kinda going to be rough since half the guys I work with use....(gasp) paper copies... of the spreadsheets to update their current system

I dont claim to be a database expert, im simply the one with the most expertise in the area of coding and applications in the group 8) I will look into normalization, thank you!