Question Help w/transforming complicated Excel data into a simple db

selain

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Hi, folks

I'm trying to make a relational db out of information contained in an Excel spreadsheet and I fear there are just too many fields for me to know where to start. If I could get some help about what tables to create, then I think maybe I can go from there...

This will be an inventory management db for my company's pilot plant manufacturing department. The Excel spreadsheet tabs consist of: Raw Materials, Intermediates, Products, Pkg & Supplies, and basepool.

Each of the above tabs in turn contains the following fields:
  • Item description
  • Storage temp
  • Part #
  • Lot #
  • Vendor
  • Date of mfg
  • Date of exp
  • Room #, where item is stored
  • Freezer # (or Refrigerator #), where item is stored
  • Shelf, where item is stored
  • Description of container, wherein item resides
  • Comments
There are a gazillion "items" on each of the tabs.

Storage temps consist of four categories:
  • Room temperature
  • 2°C to 8°C (refrigerator)
  • -20°C (freezer)
  • -80°C (freezer)
Part #s are individual to each item, and sometimes an item may not have a part #. Same goes for lot #s, date of mfg, and date of exp.

Vendor is self-explanatory, although eventually I would like the vendor's contact information and website to just pop up on the form when the company name is picked from a drop-down list. But that will have to come later.

Different rooms contain different freezers and refrigerators. The rest of the fields are self-explanatory and unique to each item.

I've attempted to create tables and then forms where some fields are self-populating but then I can't get things to work and my head starts hurting. Can someone please explain how I might begin? :banghead:

Ideally, I see this db as a resource for locating different items, as well as an entryway for adding new inventory items. A much better system than the bulky, repetitious, and confusing Excel spreadsheets that now exist.

Thank-you very much in advance for your help!

Suzy
 
Hi, Jdraw

Perfect! I was hoping I wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel. Thank-you so much--I will definitely investigate that link you provided. Take care!
 

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