Is it feasible to use Excel as a front-end for multi-user database access?

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1

Hey everyone,

I’ve got a client who wants to use Excel as the main interface for their database. The database is pretty big with some tables having around 200k rows that get updated often. They want about 25 people to be able to work on it at the same time through Excel using ODBC.

I’m not sure this is the best way to go. I’d usually suggest a web-based solution but the client is set on Excel. What do you think? Can it work?

I’m worried about a few things:

  1. How do we stop people from messing up each other’s work?
  2. Won’t it be super slow if Excel has to download everything each time?
  3. How can we make sure people only see what they’re supposed to?
  4. Is Excel really the right tool for this kind of job?

Has anyone tried something like this before? Any advice would be great!

2

Excel for multi-user database? Risky business, mate. Performance’ll tank with that many users and rows. locking’s a nightmare too. maybe look into power bi or a web app? they’re Excel-like but handle this stuff way better. Excel’s great for analysis, not so hot for big data management tho.

3

While Excel can connect to databases via ODBC, it’s not ideal for multi-user scenarios with large datasets. Performance will likely suffer, and managing concurrent edits is challenging. A web-based solution would be more suitable, offering better control over user access and data integrity. If the client insists on an Excel-like interface, consider alternatives like Power BI or Access, which provide similar functionality but are better equipped for multi-user database interactions. These tools can offer a familiar spreadsheet-like experience while handling the backend complexities more efficiently. Ultimately, the right solution depends on the specific requirements and workflows of your client’s team.

4

hmmm, interesting challenge! have u considered using access as a middle layer? it could handle the database stuff better and still give an Excel-like interface. might solve some of those worries about speed and data integrity. what does the client absolutely need from Excel that other tools cant do?