Excel 2007 Data Entry And Retrival ...

Hi,

I have made out a data Entry Form with some fields Populated.
this will take data and put that on Different sheet in the same workbook. These data input field what I thought for beginner
Entry form. What Other fields necessary all comments, hints, advice
highly appreciated.
My plan is to make out Excel Workbook or workbooks.
Data entry Atomization via VBA ...Input, Storage, Retrieval for Editing and updating. Majority of Fields Via data validation so
just pickup field.. but some filed will have to.
I am attaching Screen shots of Data Entry Sheet and Two images
which is one continuous Row in Excel Data Sheet.

tikithindi





These two images below are continuous Row of DATA..

Hi tikithindi

It seems to have everything one needs. I, personally, would organize the stamp description itself a little differently.

A word of advice concerning VBA. I have 1000's of lines of VBA code for my Stamps and other items. I would consider changing over to VB.NET VB or C#. I am in the process of doing this now. One way is to interface with EXCEL using the VB.NET Office interface software. Another is to completely ignore Office and use a DB program (free ones are available) or SQL. Being an system programmer (compilers, communications, etc.) I chose to use DataTables and/or my own Database equivalent.

Just some thoughts. Also I have heard that VBA is hard to come by after Office 2007, especially for Win 7 or 8.

Good work on what you have done.

Jerry B

I would have thought it would be much simpler using a LAMP/WAMP implementation and using a web front end to input the data into a DB.

Hi,
There is nothing "wrong" with what you have done, but the time/energy to fill it out if you have more than a few hundred stamps will likely prove overwhelming. If I were to attempt this cataloging task, I would create a multi column spreadsheet with a single line for each stamp. Columns would be labeled: Country, #, year, description, condition, color, cost, current market value, etc., etc.

The beauty of using this format (with Excel) is you can do various sorts of each column, add up values, sub-total by category, etc., etc.

What you don't want to do is create a monster, a demanding chore that kills the fun of the hobby and is an end onto itself.

For what its worth....... from a guy whose worked/played with electronic spreadsheets since the mid '80s.

Hi

tikithindi doesn't show his input form with which he does data entry. If the form contains dropdown boxes for various items (Country, Year, Catalog, etc.) then the entry may not be all that time consuming, less typing and more "click and pick". Also, if he did not clear all the fields but left some populated from entry to entry (like Country, Perforation, etc.) that too will reduce the input effort.

If tikithindi eventually chooses VB.NET and DataBase or SQL, it may be possible to get rid of EXCEL, and any reference to Microsoft Office. I am doing that with my new software.

As I said in my previous post, there should be some re-organization.
For instance, Country, Title and Subject should be at the top. All other fields below that. Having extended columns, Title and Subject, in the middle of single column data is distracting.

Some comments from one who has used VBA for years and 40+ years as a software design consultant.

Jerry B

tikithindi presented this work in an earlier thread here
https://goscf.com/t/22422&whichpage=3

The concerns in using Excel were outlined and he seemed to understand the issues at that time.

A spreadsheet like this is a nice personal tool but any aspirations in turning it into something more would be very daunting as we outlined in our posts.
Don

Hi,
Happy New year. Thanks JBcev80, mobileman, AnthonyUK, and
51dtudebacker.
First screen I made for data entry probably 8 to 10 fields one
have to fill typing rest of Field are populated from lists.
Data goes to a Database sheet in one row different columns.
those two screen I had to split to take screen Shot.
51studebaker had very nicely narrated in my previous posting.
screen shot were from my Access (temp)dB.

I want to divide entry into for 3 types of collectors.
e.g. 1.Basic Entry 2.Intermediate Collectors and 3. For Flyspecking
Type Entries. e.g.Thickness of paper, EFO, etc.
Upon reading On site majority using Spread sheets. I am using Window 7 ultimate VBA is available in win7. Also Spread sheet transported or
made in made in Open Office.

Access dB I have finished 75%. I respect your critic and advices.
MySQL I do have. thanks jbcev80 and 51studebacker for pointing other avenues. If you think some fields to include feel free to mentions
and critic. I do not know LAMP/WAMP long ago I tried but could not install.

tikithindi

Hi tikithindi

I have a suggestion. You really do not need Basic, Intermediate and Flyspecking. Let the user's decide what data they want. Try to group like items together and put them on different screens, i.e; form. On a main form, put the basics and a toolbar. For each of the other "input groups" create a new form each with an OK and Cancel button. Your input forms will be much cleaner. In my stamps inventory I have at least 8 forms.

I have a question. In dropdown boxes you can never expect no changes and/or additions, except for very simple dropdowns like Month. Where is any sort of "Edit" where the user can add, change or delete any dropdown list item?

By the way I did some checking and it seems that one can use MySQL with .NET. If you are not aware, Microsoft has a free Visual Studio. It is limited in some features but still more than adequate. Check out VB, or C#, 2013 Express. There are tutorials all over the place, some good, some so-so. Contact me by e-mail, if you wish, and I can give you links to the good sites.

Jerry B

Hi JeryB,
Thanks for suggestion. For in Spread sheet some of drop
down boxes...will be dynamic combo boxes. In dB double click event
handling notinthelist will allow addition in that table.
Only to day I downloaded and Install MS Studio 2013 Express and
MySQL. I am much obliged for your suggestion.
when time permits I enjoy writing code and making dBs
I will email and will be in touch with you. for fun part
will attach screen of my some dbs in 1988-89.

Thank you and regards.

A.Khalak

1. Recipes Database


One of Anesthesia billing Database...some where in 1988-89


I hope no body will be offended as this is Stamp collecting and related knowledge exchange forum.

Hi once again,
In my opinion, a catalogue system will only pass the test of time if it is user friendly and uncomplicated. Said another way, given the potential volume of stamps one could have, the catalogue should be as simple as possible to be used for any length of time.

hi mobileman,

Yes I agree it has to be easy and simple. And has to be Inventoy
system. There are many many catalogs. Probably apart from few well
known ones.

thanks

tikithindi

Get the DB design right and you can pull data out of it in any format you want. The input method is a personal preference so use whatever you are comfortable with.
If interested in a working LAMP implementation why not download a working VM appliance e.g. https://solutionexchange.vmware.com...ubuntu-12-04

There is a video on the above link showing how to run a Linux VM on Windows if required.

Hi once again..........
I apologize in advance for sounding negative, but the "analyst" in me is rearing its head once again.........

I collect USA thru 2000 and worldwide thru 1960. The mounted collections total to a reasonable estimate of 30 - 40,000 stamps. The time to input on each stamp would certainly vary, but would be at least one minute, likely an average of a whole lot more. So for kicks, lets say I have 35,000 stamps, and have all the pertinent data of each readily available (i.e. Scott #, subject name, etc), and was a whiz at data entry - all of which said my average was 1 minute per stamp. Well, 35,000 minutes translates to 583 hours, which further translates to 24 - 24 hour days! That is a very high price to pay for a personal inventory of anything.

OK, I've always been taught (and taught) that you never come up with a negative criticism without presenting an alternative..........

Let's face it, the vast majority of stamps in our collection are not worth very much. So why spend valuable time cataloging them? Why not pick a value number - using the same catalog (i.e. Scotts) and list only those stamps valued at "x" or more? If one used a Scott value of say $20 or $50 or $100, then the stamps most all of us had over that amount would be a manageable quantity to catalog, and it would mean a whole lot more to those that follow us in life.

As always, "for what its worth"..............

Yes you can..But why not dual boot Windows/Linux and have the best of both worlds...
I use "Oracle VM virtual box" to run windows under Linux.

Most modern PCs are more than powerful enough to run a linux server as a VM.
You can run the VM without exiting your regular OS so much more flexible especially when you consider the ability to take snapshots.

I'm with Wert on this one. Personally I use VMs every day to test on but I am a geek. In my opinion getting philatelists to install and manage VMs is a stretch.
Don