Access User - Thinking about switching.

[John Mc]

Hello everyone. I could not find a general questions forum, but I thought maybe those of you import/exporting from an Access database may be able to help.

I am fairly new at database design in general, but I have been learning Access and VBA for a couple of months now (in my spare time). As it turns out, I cannot create a report in Access the way I need it to look, which is basically like a spreadsheet, with my table field names listed down the left side of a page, and the records in columns going to the right. There is a picture (!) on the FileMaker website here (The expense report) http://www.filemakerpro.com/products/fmp/communicate.html

I have been told that in Access, this layout is very complex and difficult, requires advanced VBA to do, and have had it suggested that I go with a different layout. Yet, when I go to the FileMaker site, there is an EXAMPLE that looks like what I have been trying to achieve for 2 weeks in Access. My demo is downloading now, and I will definately try out FileMaker.

My question is this: Are spreadsheet style reports possible/easy to do in FileMaker?

[kwhaley]

I have been using Filemaker since 1986 when it was Filemaker Plus by Nashoba Systems. It was very simple flat file system that has evolved into a sophisticated powerhouse app.

I have studied Access and 4thDimension yet have always found Filemaker to be much more intuitive, well designed, and easier to get the high-end graphic results desired. Perhaps it has just suited me well, but I think your efforts with the initial learning curve will prove productive.

Filemaker lets you display your data in spreadsheet format or, using portals, it is possible to create many complex views of your data.

Kevin

San Diego, CA

Edited March 16, 2008 by Guest

[comment]

Filemaker is relatively easy to use, but... like in any other database, fields are columns, and records are rows. And like in any other database, rows can be added easily by users, while adding columns is a design operation. I suppose this dates back to continuous-feed printers.

The picture you are referring to has 8 FIXED columns*. Although the labels for the columns, and subsequently the data that appears below them, can be modified quite easily, it's not possible to ADD a column without adding a field and redesigning the layout.

BTW, the rows in the picture would be sub-summaries; though they are not records themselves, they represents groups of records, so it comes down to the same thing.

That said, it may still be possible to do what you want - if you clarify what that is.

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(*) I am assuming the picture comes from a real FM solution - though it's more likely a mock-up.

[Breezer]

I would recommend starting with FileMaker since it is more user friendly and you can achieve most of your regular office automation in less time than Access.

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(*) I am assuming the picture comes from a real FM solution - though it's more likely a mock-up.

The report in question seems to be a 'juiced-up' report from the included templates that come with FileMaker so, lucky for you(John Mc), you can get going from day one. The template name is "Expense Report."

BTW, the rows in the picture would be sub-summaries; though they are not records themselves, they represents groups of records, so it comes down to the same thing.

I agree with comment that this type of reporting could well be done using sub-summaries, but that doesn't seem to be the consensus over at FileMaker, Inc. The template used one of my 'pet peeve'... go ahead, take a guess.... WE WILL HAVE THE ANSWER AFTER A BRIEF COMMERCIAL BREAK... Edited March 18, 2008 by Guest
The pet peeve is "REPEATING FIELDS"

[comment]

As far as I am concerned, that template IS a mock-up of a real FM solution.