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.

Tips This article applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, and Office 365. View the videos listed in the Resources section for more ideas on using Excel's database functions.

Need to know your organization's YOY results? Susan Harkins will show you how to make a PivotChart in Microsoft Excel.

Learn how to create a drop-down list using Data Validation in Excel. Data Validation limits the type of data that can be entered into a cell.

Database functions excel at managing multiple criteria, including AND and OR conditions, allowing for comprehensive and accurate data analysis.

Here's how to create a pivot table in Excel to slice and dice your data, letting you perform in-depth analyses and spot important trends.

Excel's Data Model feature allows you to build relationships between data sets for easier reporting. Here's how to use it to make data analysis easier.