bruceh@mentor.com (Bruce Holm) (07/25/90)
I have a question on the best way to do the following in MS Excel.
The problem:
I have a database file (spreadsheet) that contains columns for catalog #,
product description, price, etc. I then have a separate file (spreadsheet)
that contains an order form. I want to be able to enter a catalog number on
one of the order form entry lines and it looks up in the database file the
entry, if it finds a match, it then places the description, price, etc on the
order form in the appropriate columns. If it doesn't find a match, it then
allows you to enter the details and then add this line of data (description,
price, etc) into the database. Initially, the database may be empty but as
more and more order forms were filled out, the database of products would
grow. Each time a repeat item was ordered, a lookup match in the database
would be found and cut down on the data entry time.
The attempt:
I have come up with a way to do the above using the lookup function and
a half dozen macros in a third file (macros) but I find that it is rather
slow to calculate. I'd like to find as fast an algorithm as possible. If
you have done the above please send me your suggestions.
I have not tried using database functions since I don't see the advantage or
the need to. If this is a bad assumption and if using database functions are
much faster, please let me know this as well.
I have MS Excel 1.5 on a Mac Plus with 2M of memory.
Thanks!!
--Bruce Holm
--
** These are my opinions, & not necessarily those of Mentor Graphics Corp. **
Bruce Holm, Design/Analysis Div. / (503) 626-7000
Mentor Graphics Corp. / USENET: bruceh@pdx.MENTOR.COM
Beaverton, OR 97005-7191 / UUCP: ...!{sequent,tessi,apollo}!mntgfx!bruceh