Creating a Database
To create a database, you don't have to use any special commands. All you do is enter data into the cells as you would enter data on any worksheet. However, as you enter data, you must follow these guidelines:
Enter field names in the top row of the database. Enter the first record just below this field name's row.
Type field entries into each cell in a single row to create a record. (You can leave a field blank, but you may run into problems later when you sort the database—that is, if you sort the database by that particular field.)
Do not leave an empty row between the field names and the records or between any records.
If you want to enter street numbers with the street names at the beginning of the field (such as 155 State Street), start the entry with an apostrophe so that Excel interprets the entry as text instead of as a value. However, note that if you want to enter, for example, One Washington Square Suite 600, you don't need the apostrophe because it begins with text.
Keep the records on one worksheet. You cannot have a database that spans several worksheets.
Forget Someone?
To add records to a database, either add the rows above the last row in the database (see Lesson 13, "Inserting and Deleting Cells, Rows, and Columns") or select the Data, Form command and enter the additional records using the data form.