In a relational database, data in a table can be related according to common keys or concepts. This tabular structure is similar to spreadsheets, but unlike a spreadsheet, most databases are relational, meaning that data between tables can be linked and cross-referenced. Tables are organized as columns (fields) and rows (records). Databases use tables as a means of storing and retrieving information.

What is a database and how is it different from a spreadsheet?įundamentally, a database is a computer program designed to store, manipulate, and retrieve information. Often the information stored in a database is exported to a spreadsheet to provide an orderly, formatted view or perform additional calculations. These two separate software tools are complementary and are frequently used in tandem. While there are similarities between a spreadsheet and a database, a spreadsheet is not a database. But as any carpenter will tell you, having the right tool for the job is critical to success. One of the key reasons-“What’s the difference?” Spreadsheets are inherently simpler to understand and are more familiar to most people than a database. So why are so many companies still using spreadsheets? These software programs are helpful organizational tools but have limitations compared to a real database.

Spreadsheet applications are commonly used to manage environmental data.

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