The database capabilities of Excel are very powerful. In fact, not only can Excel be used to create a simple searchable database, it also can be used to create a proper relational database.

Excel can send alerts based on spreadsheet data, but you'll need to write a macro to do it. We'll show you how.

How to Generate an MS Access Report to an Excel File. Microsoft Access is the powerful relational database application that ships with professional and enterprise versions of Microsoft Office.

Microsoft Office is more than the sum of its parts—you can link an Excel database table to an Access database, integrating your data and adding value. Here's how.

Use INDEX and MATCH for simple database queries in Excel The bigger your spreadsheet, the more you need these, which you can combine with SUM, AVERAGE, and MAX to refine your searches.