Excel And ONLINE Databases
In the realm of database management, choosing the right tools can significantly impact efficiency, accessibility, and overall value.
While SharePoint, Azure, and AWS are popular choices for database management, integrating Microsoft Excel with a MySQL database offers a compelling alternative. The best part is that if you have a website, you already have a MySQL database included, which means, using it independently alongside Excel, makes your solution for sharing data very cost effective.
This combination provides an affordable solution that can benefit small to medium businesses. One of the most significant advantages of using Excel with MySQL is the cost-effectiveness of the solution. While SharePoint, Azure, and AWS offer robust services, they often come with associated costs that might be prohibitive for smaller businesses or individuals. Excel, paired with a MySQL database, provides a budget-friendly alternative without compromising on functionality.
Excel is a ubiquitous tool with which most users are already familiar. Leveraging this existing knowledge reduces the learning curve, making it easier for teams to adopt and integrate Excel with MySQL seamlessly.
This familiarity contributes to increased user acceptance and allows for quick implementation without extensive training.
Rapid Development and Data analysis
Excel’s strength lies in its versatility for data analysis and visualisation. Connecting Excel to a MySQL database enables users to rapidly prototype reports, conduct ad-hoc analysis, and generate meaningful insights. The dynamic interaction between Excel and MySQL facilitates a responsive environment for data exploration without the need for extensive programming skills.
SharePoint, Azure, and AWS are comprehensive platforms that may require complex setups and configurations. In contrast, connecting Excel to a MySQL database is a relatively straightforward process. The simplicity of deployment reduces the need for specialised IT skills and accelerates the time from concept to implementation.
For small to medium-sized projects, the Excel and MySQL combination provides scalability without the complexity associated with larger cloud platforms, because Excel’s built-in functionality and formulas are not readily available on any other platform. Consider Excel as “Lego for data”. As projects grow, organisations can assess their needs and potentially transition to more robust solutions. This scalability aligns with the organic growth of businesses and avoids overcommitting to resources.
NEED AN ONLINE APPLICATION?
Whilst Excel is extremely powerful, unfortunately macros don’t work online. Also whilst Excel has the Autosave functionality, there are instances where data can be lost when multiple concurrent users are working in a file at the same time.
Excel with a MySQL Database will overcome the concurrent user issue, but as macros are required, it can only work in the Excel Application, not online.
We will advise you as to the best solution for your needs and if you need a fully online solution, we can offer an alternative to Excel by developing simple online Databases which enables UNLIMITED USERS to work in an online application, for a reasonable fixed, monthly subscription from £70 per month + VAT for the first 6 months and £100 per month + VAT thereafter (basic package).
Data Manipulation flexibility
Excel’s spreadsheet format is inherently flexible, allowing users to manipulate and organise data in a way that best suits their needs. The direct connection to a MySQL database ensures real-time data updates, empowering users to work with the most current information. This flexibility in data manipulation is especially beneficial for dynamic projects and evolving datasets. By leveraging the strengths of Excel and MySQL, organisations can streamline data management processes, enhance collaboration, and derive valuable insights without the complexities associated with larger cloud platforms.