Enter the Data

The basic format for storing data in an Excel database is a table.

To follow along with this tutorial, enter the data as it is shown in the image above.

Also, check that that you don’t leave any empty cells.

A sheet in Excel screenshot

Data errorscaused by incorrect data entry are the source of many problems related to data management.

Rows Are Records

Each row of data in a database is known as a record.

Each column needs a heading to identify the data it contains.

Rows in an Excel database screenshot

These headings are called field names.

Create the Table

Once the data has been entered, it can be converted into a table.

Database functions take three arguments:

The first row in Criteria specifies field names.

Field names in an Excel table screenshot

Every other row in Criteria represents a filter, a set of restrictions on the corresponding fields.

An empty cell means no restriction on the corresponding field.

A database row (a record) satisfies Criteria if at least one filter matches it.

Excel format as table screenshot

DGET is the only database function that doesn’t aggregate values.

Excel’s Database tools screenshot

Expand Excel database screenshot

Formatting an Excel database screenshot

Functions in an Excel database screenshot