The database capabilities of Excel are very powerful. In fact, not only can Excel be used to create a simple searchable database, it also can be used to create a proper relational database.

For detailed analysis, you can create a central dashboard with slicers, timelines, and charts. To learn more, check out our dedicated guide on creating PivotTables in Excel.

Tips This article applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, and Office 365. View the videos listed in the Resources section for more ideas on using Excel's database functions.

You can also create macros within Excel's VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) environment to add custom solutions for data import, export, updating, and other database-related activities.