There are many benefits to using the Microsoft Access database. One of the useful functions it has is the ability to link the Excel spreadsheets. After reading this article you will know how to do it.

The first thing to do is to click on the main window of the database and select “Link Tables”. You could also do this by referring to the file menu and choosing “Get External Data” and “Link Tables” will follow.

The next step is to select the spreadsheet. Access might ask you which spreadsheet to select if the worksheet has several of them. The program will also ask you about the range you would like. When you make your selection, you should click on the Next button.

Then you will have to decide whether you want to leave the table headings in Access the same that were specified in Excel spreadsheet or not. If you want that then you should put a cross in the box next to the words “First row contains column headings”. In order to continue click the Next button.

Then Access will ask you how you would like to name your linked table. When you are done click the Finish button.

Then go to your main database window and select “Tables”. You will be able to see your table that is linked to the spreadsheet because it has the Excel symbol. Then you can test it. Open it and try to change some data in it. You will notice that even if the spreadsheet is open at the moment the changes will display there too. The great thing about it is that you can create queries and forms around the linked tables and have all the updates appear automatically in the spreadsheet. You can even graph your data in MS Access.

You might not want to link the Access table to the spreadsheet but instead want to keep all the data from it and create a separate table. You can easily do it by selecting “Make table query”. As you can see, Microsoft Access makes such tasks like linking very easy. Hopefully, this article has given you an insight of the benefits and power of the MS Access and Excel spreadsheet linking which has lots of advantages for your personal database development or for your company’s use. You must know all these benefits if you already successfully use Access databases for your needs. If you don’t use it yet but plan to implement it, it would be wise to get a proper Access training and education in order to get the most out of this software and to avoid the common mistakes people make because of the lack of the Access knowledge.

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