cyamamot@kilroy.jpl.nasa.gov (Cliff Yamamoto) (10/19/90)
Greetings, I'm sure a program like this must exists since it would seem to be useful for so many applications. I'd like to find a way to import or link database entries with entries in a spreadsheet (Lotus/Excel/whatever doesn't matter). What I'm looking for a way of searching for a item in a database (w/ some predicate), then once the entry or entries have been found, bring it's values into the spreadsheet. *THEN* if I change a value in the spreadsheet which affects the values for one of my spreadsheet entries, it's new updated value is reflected in the database respectively. If this isn't possible, it would be nice to at least have some sort of programmable macro that performed a database operation (query/sort/etc.) whenever a particular spreadsheet operation was performed. Is this too far fetched? I'd prefer something on the IBM/PC platform but I guess Macs would be ok. This doesn't have a be a full fledge product. It could be some add-on program to an existing database and/or spreadsheet program. Any pointers would be appreciated! I'll summarize if there is sufficient interest. Cliff Yamamoto
rlp@druwa.ATT.COM (PrehnRL) (10/19/90)
In article <1990Oct19.032936.6557@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov>, cyamamot@kilroy.jpl.nasa.gov (Cliff Yamamoto) writes: > I'd like to find a way to import or link database entries with entries > in a spreadsheet (Lotus/Excel/whatever doesn't matter). What I'm looking > for a way of searching for a item in a database (w/ some predicate), then > once the entry or entries have been found, bring it's values into the > spreadsheet. > > *THEN* if I change a value in the spreadsheet which affects the values > for one of my spreadsheet entries, it's new updated value is reflected > in the database respectively. > > If this isn't possible, it would be nice to at least have some sort of > programmable macro that performed a database operation (query/sort/etc.) > whenever a particular spreadsheet operation was performed. > > Cliff Yamamoto I don't have the documentation here & don't use spreadsheets but here is my $.02 worth. I belive you can grab data from the integrated database into a spreadsheet. I vaguely remember seeing macro commands for that while browsing thru the manual. It has a built in spreadsheet compatable with MS Excel & MS Multiplan & Lotus 1-2-3 1A & 2.x spreadsheets. It also has a built-in word-processor with spell checker & thesaurus, and electronic communications. The database allows you to create & store custom forms & reports. Bob Prehn
jkenyon@us.cc.umich.edu (Jim Kenyon) (10/19/90)
In article <1990Oct19.032936.6557@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov> cyamamot@kilroy.jpl.nasa.gov (Cliff Yamamoto) writes: > ---- deleted stuff ---- > >I'd like to find a way to import or link database entries with entries >in a spreadsheet (Lotus/Excel/whatever doesn't matter). What I'm looking >for a way of searching for a item in a database (w/ some predicate), then >once the entry or entries have been found, bring it's values into the >spreadsheet. > >*THEN* if I change a value in the spreadsheet which affects the values >for one of my spreadsheet entries, it's new updated value is reflected >in the database respectively. > ---- more deleted ---- > >Is this too far fetched? I'd prefer something on the IBM/PC platform but >I guess Macs would be ok. This doesn't have a be a full fledge product. >It could be some add-on program to an existing database and/or spreadsheet >program. > > >Cliff Yamamoto Try Lotus Symphony -- I thought it was a spreadsheet cum database. Also, Ashton Tate Framework might be of interest.... -- Jim Kenyon -- jkenyon@css.itd.umich.edu University of Michigan, 401 Washtenaw Ave Division of Kinsesiology, Motor Behavior Lab Ann Arbor, MI 48109 -- (313) 763-0498
woody@eos.arc.nasa.gov (Wayne Wood) (10/20/90)
In article <1990Oct19.163313.15580@terminator.cc.umich.edu$ jkenyon@us.cc.umich.edu (Jim Kenyon) writes: $In article <1990Oct19.032936.6557@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov$ cyamamot@kilroy.jpl.nasa.gov (Cliff Yamamoto) writes: $$for a way of searching for a item in a database (w/ some predicate), then $$once the entry or entries have been found, bring it's values into the $$spreadsheet. $$ $$*THEN* if I change a value in the spreadsheet which affects the values $$for one of my spreadsheet entries, it's new updated value is reflected $$in the database respectively. $$Cliff Yamamoto $ $Try Lotus Symphony -- I thought it was a spreadsheet cum database. $Also, Ashton Tate Framework might be of interest.... or if you want to do it on the cheap, try MicroSoft WORKS... also, LOTUS-123 and Quattro (BORLAND) both have limited database capabilities built in... maybe you could..... /*** woody **************************************************************** *** ...tongue tied and twisted, just an earth bound misfit, I... *** *** -- David Gilmour, Pink Floyd *** ****** woody@eos.arc.nasa.gov *** my opinions, like my mind, are my own ******/
amichiel@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Allen J Michielsen) (10/20/90)
>In article <1990Oct19.032936.6557@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov> cyamamot@kilroy.jpl.nasa.gov (Cliff Yamamoto) writes: >---- deleted stuff ---- >>I'd like to find a way to import or link database entries with entries >>in a spreadsheet... searching for a item in a database, then >>once the entry or entries have been found, bring it's values...spreadsheet. >> >>*THEN* if I change a value in the spreadsheet which affects the values >>for one of my spreadsheet entries, it's new updated value is reflected >>in the database respectively. >> Most of this sounds just like the features added in lotus 123 version 3 and above. The search part will probably require work writing some (better) macros, but linking the spreadsheets is what it's all about isn't it ? The alternate case I guess may be a recommendation///////////// no make that a suggestion to look at dbase. I neither confirm nor deny, but see that it's popular in the marketplace. al -- Al. Michielsen, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University InterNet: amichiel@rodan.acs.syr.edu amichiel@sunrise.acs.syr.edu Bitnet: AMICHIEL@SUNRISE
ergo@netcom.UUCP (Isaac Rabinovitch) (10/26/90)
In <1990Oct19.163313.15580@terminator.cc.umich.edu> jkenyon@us.cc.umich.edu (Jim Kenyon) writes: >>I'd like to find a way to import or link database entries with entries >>in a spreadsheet (Lotus/Excel/whatever doesn't matter). What I'm looking >>for a way of searching for a item in a database (w/ some predicate), then >>once the entry or entries have been found, bring it's values into the >>spreadsheet. >Try Lotus Symphony -- I thought it was a spreadsheet cum database. >Also, Ashton Tate Framework might be of interest.... The Framework "database" is really just a special kind of spreadsheet. It's easier to define some kinds of calculations, and there's a dBase-style entry mode, but otherwise it does nothing your usual spreadsheet won't do. In particular, your "database" has to all fit into memory at once. Lotus Symphony is probably similar. I think all the "integrated applications" that were so big a few years ago are pretty worthless. Without some kind of multitasking support (pretty good in Borland's Sidekick Plus; poor or nonexistant in all the others) and support for third-party add-ins (promised by Borland, but never delivered; simply not possible in all the others), you're stuck with a big, slow program that does everything poorly. Right Hand Man might be an exception. I played with an early shareware version and was impressed, despite some gross bugs. Current version is too expensive to catch on. Perhaps one could kludge together some kind of connection under windows or desqview, using macros. -- ergo@netcom.uucp Isaac Rabinovitch {apple,amdahl,claris}!netcom!ergo Silicon Valley, CA
daves@dbase.A-T.COM (Dave Schnepper) (10/27/90)
ergo@netcom.UUCP (Isaac Rabinovitch) writes: >The Framework "database" is really just a special kind of spreadsheet. >It's easier to define some kinds of calculations, and there's a >dBase-style entry mode, but otherwise it does nothing your usual >spreadsheet won't do. In particular, your "database" has to all fit >into memory at once. The Framework database *is* very similar to a spreadsheet, and many spreadsheet operations can be performed on it. However, unlike a SS, it can be filtered. Also, FW's database can link with dBASE files, and either bring in only the subset of records of interest or can process each record sequentially in the database for calculation, mailmerge, etc. >Lotus Symphony is probably similar. I think all the "integrated >applications" that were so big a few years ago are pretty worthless. >Without some kind of multitasking support (pretty good in Borland's >Sidekick Plus; poor or nonexistant in all the others) and support for >third-party add-ins (promised by Borland, but never delivered; simply >not possible in all the others), you're stuck with a big, slow program >that does everything poorly. Framework has had support for 3-rd party addin's since version Framework II 1.0. While I agree that Framework's SS is not as fast as Lotus, and its Database can't have as many records as dBASE, and its graphics are not as good as Draw Applause, and its tcom doesn't emulate as many terminals as Mirror, and its word processing doesn't have any many bells as Multimate, and its outliner doesn't the fancy outline processing features of More/Thinktank; I have to disagree that Framework does any of these operations *poorly*. And, Framework's greatest strength is that it does ALL of these operations, and links them together. Recall the original poster's request - "I want to link my SS with my Database". To do that with Framework you cursor-point from the SS cell you're modifing, to the database that cell operates upon. A simple operation. I've seen NO other response on the network that even gave that person a solution. Framework's strength is it's ability to organize and work with multiple types of data sets. Framework's weakness is that the above ability means it is not optimized for working with any one type of dataset. >Perhaps one could kludge together some kind of connection under >windows or desqview, using macros. Why kludge? You means Windows/DesqView *aren't* the strongly integrated environments that enable multiple applications to work together (like in Framework?) (smile). While I have now realized this posting is close to a "commercial use" of UseNet, I get hot under the coller when people compare Framework to stand-alone programs. I've used Framework daily for over 6 years, and don't think I would be nearly as efficient using any other environment. Dave Schnepper Ashton-Tate Northern California Development Center Framework Development team Los Gatos, CA daves@ashtate / daves@dbase