[bahamut_2006]

Well, its been a couple of years since I have used either program, and both are giving me problems. The main one is with Access (which is a pretty much useless prog if you ask me, Excel can do just about everything it can). Anyway the problem is I am trying to add up 4 fields and put that total in the next column. I should be able to put in a simple sum function, but it doesnt work no matter how I try to format it. I have tried the numbers straight up, the field names in brackets, quotes, and parentheses. I have tried this with the 97 and 2002 versions, but I need to be able to do this in the 97 version for the sake of my teacher being more familiar with it (though if you aint noticed, she doesnt know anything or I wouldnt be asking) I have looked at online and offline examples of how it should be formatted and it still doesnt work. It always says the value isnt valid, but the field is set to number like its supposed to be. Anyway I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me how they added up fields in Access cause its driving me nuts. The problem I have with Excel is I need to merge two cells vertically. Horizontal merges arent a problem, but it doesnt work trying it vertically since it deletes the text in the bottom cell and even tells me that will happen before they are merged, so how do I fix that?

 

[Kane]

>which is a pretty much useless prog if you ask me, Excel can do just about everything it can

It's not if you want to do relational database work

As for your problem... I'm not sure I entirely get it. I need a bit more visual stimulus

 

[bahamut_2006]

It's not if you want to do relational database work

True, but these two files arent related. To clarify my problem a bit, heres what it shows me. Now in case your wondering, these are just examples and I am trying to complete them correctly in order to be more familiar with these programs for a class at school.

 

[Kane]

You tried:
= (B5+B6+B7+B8)/4

In Access, you don't type in the expression directly IIRC. In the bottom panel, you can put expressions in the 'format' box.

 

[Ali]

MS access is a query based( Database), and Excel is a Spreadsheet program, U cannot compare the two.

In access, Ur gonna have to develop a query, to extract the sums from the table.

 

[RZetlin]

Well, its been a couple of years since I have used either program, and both are giving me problems. The main one is with Access (which is a pretty much useless prog if you ask me, Excel can do just about everything it can)

Then you are using the wrong application for the work.

Excel is a spreadsheet used for calculations like balance sheets and graphs.

Access is used as a database to store information. You can run SQL commands and link up relational databases together which Excel can't do.

If you want to see the power of what Access can do, take a look at my website by clicking on my signature. My website is completely run by Access using SQL.

True, but these two files arent related. To clarify my problem a bit, heres what it shows me. Now in case your wondering, these are just examples and I am trying to complete them correctly in order to be more familiar with these programs for a class at school.

Have done a course on relational databases?

If not I suggest you pick up a book on Access.

You can't just add numbers in Access. You can to use SQL to add up the numbers. The results will be display in a query.

 

[Kane]

Heh, my anime database uses access, but even then it's quite a simple database with only 3 tables.

 

[Ali]

er...well I haven't used it for a website, but for my last client I made a Fixed Assets management database.

Took me 3 months to build it from sctratch.