College scheduling - Using forms for data entry and filtering

[RichardMichael]

I want to create data input forms for a college schedule

Data would be grouped as follows:

Semester Start-date Finish-date Time Day Classroom Course-Code Course Programme Lecturer Students Attendance Evaluation Notes

I want to be able to input data using a form but to be able to include data from a range of cells. For example, A class might be programmed for three separate days in one week or two days per week, etc.

There are likely to be constant changes to the schedule so I want to be able to easily move data around in groups without having to type each entry separately in each cell every time stuff needs to be moved.

I also want to be able to filter a view data to show the following separately:

Start and finish dates
Programme content
Courses per week
Subjects per days, weeks
Student allocations
Teacher allocations
Duplications

Ideally, I would like to be able to do all of this through the same form.

I also want to lock cell formatting on the sheet. In other words, data would be moved but the template design, row/column shading, borders, etc would remain unchanged as data was moved from one place to another.

Basically, I am using excel to do the job of a proprietary scheduling software, due to the fact that the institution is unable/unwilling to assign a budget to this area.

[NoS]

Seems quite ambitious for Excel, have you considered Access which may better adapt to the things you mention here and your statement on another forum.... "made idiot proof, so that approved users just click on a button or a link without having direct access to the data base."

Should read this, http://www.excelguru.ca/content.php?184 to know what's happening.

for others, cross posted at these forums and maybe more
http://www.excelforum.com/excel-gene...formation.html
http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/excel-q...-searches.html
http://www.excelguru.ca/forums/showt...-and-filtering

[RichardMichael]

[QUOTE=NoS;13643]Seems quite ambitious for Excel, have you considered Access which may better adapt to the things you mention here and your statement on another forum.... "made idiot proof, so that approved users just click on a button or a link without having direct access to the data base."



Yes. Thanks for the information. Reference the cross posting, I should explain that it is my first time on these forums. I simply googled "excel help forums"and posted on a few of the options that came up. as they all had different URL's, I was unaware that each site was connected to the other. People aren't born knowing, this is a learning curve for me. Anyway, you have now explained how the system operates, so I am now up to speed on the forum culture.

Going back to my original inquiry, I take the point about using access. But access doesn't always come as part of the standard Office package. I am working in Spain. There is a vastly different mind set than the one people in other parts of the world may be used to - and too many companies are unwilling to invest in even the most rudimentary software.

I was hoping find a way to use excel for this reason. I know it is far from ideal but I don't have all that many options. The only other possibility would be to identify an affordable customized scheduling solution. Or pay someone to engineer what we need using excel, if it is any way doable.

Using access would be a final option, I'd have to show them how it could work for them first though and without having the programme installed this is going to be challenging.

I know this must sound like amateur hour, which of course is exactly what it is. This has landed on my plate here. I am trying to ID a possible solution. If I can't, I'll have to quit.

Thanks!

[NoS]

People aren't born knowing

and that's why all forums have rules that everybody is supposed to read at the time of registering.... but 90% don't.

access doesn't always come as part of the standard Office package

actually only comes with Professional versions. But only one Office Package with Access is needed to develop an application.
Microsoft offers freely downloadable and redistributable "run time environments" so computers without Access can run Access Applications
see: http://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/downl....aspx?id=10910 and http://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/downl....aspx?id=39358

If Excel is still the way to go, the solution is beyond me, but suspect you'll have more responses to specific questions than what you appear to be getting now, if there is in fact a question in the original post.

Sorry I haven't helped, it's just my thoughts.