Moving from Excel to Access DB

Hello all,
I really need some assistance with defining tables and relationships in the DB I'm working on.
I have most of the data in an Excel workbook and would really appreciate some help with this.
I'm currently unable to upload the speadsheet for someone to examine/analyze for solutions due to the fact that I only have internet via my BlackBerry right now.
If someone would like to see the file I'd be happy to send it to them via email. You can contact me at [email protected]

I'm certain that there must be a simple solution, however I'm still a noobie with DB's so please bear with me.
Thanx for any advice/assistance regarding this matter.
Cheers,
ziggy

Ziggy

For starters ...

.. at the most fundamental level, an Excel model is a "flat" file,
whereas a database can be of 2 basic "types"

1. flat file - ie, Time and Sales data for stock market, one RS per day, one MDB per month
2. relational - RSs (tables) for client, orders, part numbers, etc.

Which "type" do you contemplate needing?
What database will you be using?

Spoo

I'm trying to convert the data to an MS Access DB.
The DB will be relational, I'm just having trouble figuring out what should go into the tables and how to relate them.
The DB is for CPU's and the details for the families, sockets, codenames, etc.
For instance, a CPU like the AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ has the codename Windsor, is a Socket AM2 and is part of the Athlon 64 (K8) generation.
There are several other CPU's under the same codename & socket.
It would be easier to explain to someone if they had copy of the spreadsheet to follow along with.
I'll try to summarize.
AMD has several different CPU sockets and for each socket type there are several CPU models
Each of the model lines can have several different socket types.
E.g. Athlon 64 X2 and sockets 939 & AM2.
Socket AM2 has Athlon 64, Athlon 64 X2, Athlon X2, etc. That can be used.
I hope you get the idea.
Now when I select AMD a list of sockets should be presented from which I can select a socket to have the appropriate models displayed, select a model and the CPU'S for that displayed. ComboBoxes will be used up till the list of CPU's is presented in either a datagrid or listview control.
Hope this makes sense,
Again, advice is appreciated,
Cheers,
Ziggy

P.S. Could I please email a copy of the spreadsheet to someone so they could post it on here for me? My BlackBerry just won't allow it and it's the only internet I have for the time being.

You can mail it to me. I have sent you an email...

Ziggy

No offense, but count me out as an email candidate.

However, I'll be glad to work with you here. Let's see if we
can "outline" a possible structure.

1. RS-1 -- CPU Mfgr
   
   • fields:
     
     • mfgr - AMD
     • model - Anthlon 64 X2 6000+
     • codename - Windsor
     • socket - AM2
     • generation - Anthlon 64 (K8)
   • indexes:
     
     • mfgr
     • codename
     • socket
2. RS-2 -- CPU sockets
   
   • fields:
     
     • mfgr - AMD
     • socket type -
     • CPU model -
   • indexes:
3. RS-3 -- CPU models
   
   • fields:
     
     • mfgr - AMD
     • socket type -
     • CPU model -
   • indexes:

I just took a stab at that .. not even sure how much of it makes sense.

• there are some fields common to more that 1 RS
• which is bad
• there should only be one common "link" field between RSs

But, YOU SHOULD know !!
Give it a try

EDIT:
Kool beat me by a minute !
He has entirely too much time on his hands.
Oh, wait, isn't he a new ..... ?

Spoo

Here is the zip file. I am going to the hosp now. Will have a look at it later... Please note that I will delete the attachment once your query is solved :)

@Spoo: I hope that answers your question...

I suggest you also upload mboard data you have. It would be best if it were possible to make an inquiries wherein parts can be related easily (configuration based queries) rather than querying each separately.

Sorry, but I don't have the motherboard data because the application won't be needing that info.
I hope that the outline I've given in the spreadsheet is clear enough to give agood idea of what I'm trying to accomplish.
Cheers,
Ziggy

But then again, after some consideration, I think I will add motherboard info. I'm already going to be adding RAM, video cards, etc. to the DB, however adding them didn't seem to be as difficult as organizing/categorizing the list of CPU's.
So I guess I'll be adding the motherboard info (once I get my internet so I can collect the data).
Thanx for the suggestion and help on this. ;)
Cheers,
Ziggy

Thus far I have created tables for Mfg, Sockets , Model, CodeName, and Processors.
The relationship are as follows:
- Mfg & Sockets is 1-to-many
- CodeName & Processors 1-to-many

The rest I really don't know how to relate and retrieve the data required.
I think I need a many-to-many between Sockets & Models as we'll as Models & CodeNames. This is the part where I need some help.
Any advice is really appreciated,
Thanx,
Ziggy

You create a junction table between Sockets and Models (same for Models and CodeNames). This table holds the PK of both tables, make these fields a combination PK for the table.

Now for the really fun stuff; the queries!
I can fill the 1st & 2nd comboboxes with the Mfg's and Sockets.
Now, how would I write the queries to fill the following comboboxes with the appropriate data: Models, CodeName, & Processors.
The queries I tried gives me ALL the Models for the selected Socket & ALL the CodeNames for each selected Model, etc.
Ziggy