The main difference between Excel and Access is that Excel is a spreadsheet to perform calculations and to represent data visually while Access is a Database Management System that is used to store and manage data easily.
Excel and Access are two Microsoft applications. Both of them belong to Microsoft Office Suite. Excel consists of sheets with cells to perform calculations, create charts and many other tasks. On the other hand, Access contains tables, queries, forms and report modules. Overall, Excel is a spreadsheet, whereas Access is a DBMS.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Excel
-Definition, Functionality
2. What is Access
– Definition, Functionality
3. Difference Between Excel and Access
-Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Access, DBMS, Excel, Spreadsheet
What is Excel
The spreadsheet is an interactive computer application for organizing, analyzing, storing data in a table format. It is an electronic replacement for traditional paper-based accounting calculations. Excel is a spreadsheet developed by Microsoft. It supports various platforms such as Windows, MacOS, Android and iOS. Furthermore, it is a part of the Microsoft Office Suite.
Excel consists of a collection of cells. Those are arranged in numbered rows and letter-named columns. Excel provides multiple advantages for the user. Firstly, there are mathematical formulas to perform statistical and financial calculations. Secondly, there are various charts, graphs and histograms available to display data visually. Thirdly, it provides several add-ins such as Analysis ToolPak which provides data analysis tools for statistical and engineering analysis. Another add-in is Euro Currency Tool, which allows converting and formatting euro currency. Furthermore, Solvers add-in tools help in optimization and equation solving.
What is Access
Access is a Database Management System (DBMS) and is a part of the Microsoft Office Suite. It combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software development tools. Moreover, Access stores data in its own format based on the Access Jet Database Engine, which is capable of importing data stored in other applications and databases.
Access provides multiple advantages to the user. Firstly, user can create queries; perform indexing, grouping data, summarizing data, joining tables, creating reports and many other tasks with Access. Secondly, it also provides an easy to use GUI. Thirdly, Software developers, architects, users use Microsoft Access to develop application software. Moreover, it is applicable for storing data of a single department. In other words, it is suited for small databases. However, for large and enterprise level applications, the Microsoft SQL server is more suitable.
Difference Between Excel and Access
Definition
Excel is a spreadsheet developed by Microsoft for Windows, MacOS, Andoird and IOS. But, Access is a DBMS that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software development tools.
Usage
The main difference between Excel and Access is their usage. Excel is a spreadsheet that helps to create charts, graphs and to perform calculations, whereas Access is DBMS that helps to store and manage data in the databases.
Data storage
In Excel, data storing capacity is less than Access.
Used By
Generally, financial and statistical analysts use Excel, while small business owners use Access.
Type
Moreover, Excel is non-relational, whereas Access is relational. Hence, this is another difference between Excel and Access.
Complexity
Excel is easier to use than Access, which is comparatively, more complex.
Conclusion
In brief, Excel and Access are two Microsoft applications. The main difference between Excel and Access is that Excel is a spreadsheet to perform calculations and to represent data visually, while Access is a Database Management System that helps store and manage data easily.
References:
1.“Microsoft Excel.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 May 2019, Available here.
2.“Microsoft Access.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Apr. 2019, Available here.
3.“What Is Microsoft Access? – Definition from Techopedia.” Techopedia.com, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1.”Logo von Microsoft Excel Professional Plus 2013″ By Logo: Microsoft; Bearbeitung: de:Benutzer:Freddy2001 – Aus der EXE extrahiert (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2.”This is a logo for Microsoft Access.” By Micrososft – This file has been extracted from another file: Microsoft Office 2013 logos lineup.svg (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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