Access is wonderful database application but sometimes it calls for a lot of unnecessary hassles and difficulties which makes it a tad bit complicated. Sometime we are really in need of a database application with the same capabilities but without all the hassles. This is where Excel really comes in handy. If you can create and design your Excel workbook correctly, then you can look at your data in Excel in much the same way that you would in a database application. You can sort your data in many different ways, reorganize your data in any way suitable to your needs and convenience even 'on the fly' and also filter your data so that it matches specific criteria.

    To use Excel application as a database, your data needs to be structured in a list format. Each Excel list contains rows and columns of data structured in a specific way. The same category of data is contained in the rows and columns resembling a field in a database. Each row contains the data for one entity while each column contains data entry for another corresponding entity. There can be no black rows or columns in the list and the data structure and format must be consistent throughout the list. Data can be sorted either numerically or alphabetically in Excel using the Quick Sort button on the Standard Toolbar. You can sort your data either in descending or ascending order. The right way to sort in Excel is to put the cell pointer in any cell of in the row or column you want to sort and then to click one of the sort buttons.

    The Quick sort buttons only allows you to sort one column at a time but sometimes, you need to perform more complex sorting of your data, so in that case you need to use the Data Sort command to perform more complex sorts according to your needs. To do this you need to place the cell pointer in any cell in the list, then choose Data from the menu bar and finally click Sort. You can choose a column as your sort criteria. To do this, you can select the column you want to use as your sort criteria in the Sort dialogue box. You can also select secondary sort criteria from the first, as well as third sort criteria from the second. This method of sorting is designed to make your sorting much easier and it keeps your data well organized.

    Unfortunately, there are times when the default sort options just do not work, for instance in case you need to sort data chronologically by month or year. The default sort method in Excel sorts data numerically and alphabetically, however not chronologically. But there is a way out of this problem. You can program Excel to sort a list in other ways by using the Custom Lists feature in Excel. Excel as a database application already has a few built in custom lists which you can use to sort your data or you can also construct your own custom lists to suit your data sorting needs.

   So Excel can be used as a high functioning database application.