Troubling Excel question...

[gregnash]

Ok, first off I know that everyone is pretty much going to come back with something to the sort of "you should build a database for that" answer to this question. Right now that is in the work with us building a full Case Management System for this program however for the interim I have the data entry clerks entering everything on a multiple tab excel workbook.

So here is the question.... Is there an EASY way to have excel take information from multiple copies of a document and import ALL the information from ALL tabs in the workbook to a single masterfile?

I.E. - Clerk1 enters information into all tabs on workbook
- Clerk2 enters information into all tabs on copy of same workbook
- Clerk3 enters information into all tabs on ANOTHER copy of the same workbook

End of day, run a macro, process, whatever, to combine ALL information into a single MASTERFILE?

Don't know if this is easy or whatnot but something that I am getting the lovely task of finding out.

 

[Deleted member 16178]

You should build a database for that.


But a good interim solution would be to make the workbook a "shared workbook". I think this may work for you. Do a google on the pros/cons to see how will it will pan out for your organization.

 

[FrEaKy]

You should build a database for that man, thats crazy!

I agree with REDYOUCH on this, having it as a "shared workbook" would lessen the strain on what your doing.... it wont be a final solution, and it certinaly wont be as fast as just having it in database form, but for what you need right now, it will work out well. Do your research though and make sure.

 

[gregnash]

Yeah unfortunately sharing the workbook would work to some extent but the ability for both users to interactively save as needed is where the issues roll up. Since the referencing between workbook tabs HAS TO BE EXACT there is no margin for error. I am trying to build a quick and dirty access database as we speak (in my spare time of course - spare time whats that?) to see if I can atleast import the information into it then have it spit out one finalized version that someone can use.

Thanks for the help though... amazing how people in my organization didnt listen to me 6 months ago that this program shouldnt have started without the baseline being finalized in stone and now here we are with constant, weekly changes to the CMS..... huh...so much for intelligence.

 

[FrEaKy]

intelligence is over-rated. Todays high end work force only requires what you read in a book. Experiance, pffffft, whats that? Lets take our poor IT guys and make them do all the smart stuff so we can sit back on our lounge...... I mean ergo friendly chairs and drink a latte.

 

[gregnash]

went through the same thing on a different subject with the same damn group....

In one sentence the "manager" is telling me she understand what goes into this stuff and has been through it before. Then in the next sentence she is saying how she doesn't understand the "lingo." But all she has to do is make a call to someone to put the word out and she will have tons of information (read - vendors) sending her info on what we need....

There have been to many time in the last year that I have just wanted to grab the person by the shoulders and yell in their face.... YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO F*(&#%^ CLUE WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!!! They now basically want to build the cart, push it down the street (which is sloped downward) and then go try and find a horse before it hits the bottom, but no real rush on trying to find the "right" horse..........

sigh....
/soapbox