Data Entry on Sharepoint - Database

Question

Hello,

I am trying to migrate my company to sharepoint and one of the challenges are adapting our many different spreadsheets and tracking logs to Sharepoint.  I know I can simply host these files in a document library, but I imagine a SharePoint page that allowed users to easily navigate through records and enter data with a user-friendly form app that will be hosted on the page.

I tried experimenting with Powerapps, but I have not found a way to do what I am hoping for without purchasing Power Apps Premium. 

I am vaguely aware of what Azure is, MySQL, Access, etc... there seems to be so many methods and directions and I do not know what I should use.

My hopes are that this web tracking app is more dynamic than simply a spreadsheet, easier for everyone to access at the same time, enter data, etc.

I want to learn, but I feel I have gone down a rabbit hole and I do not know where to go.

Answer 1

Hi DN4559,

If your goal is to allow users to enter data in a SharePoint page which is easy for users to navigate, then I suppose you can consider using SharePoint list. A SharePoint list can help you track issues, assets, routines, contacts, inventory, and more. You can create list from your Excel workbook or from scratch.

To know how, see Create a list and If you're in Microsoft Teams, see Get started with Lists in Teams.

If you need any help, let me know.

Regards,

Neha

Answer 2

Hello Neha,

Thank you for responding and yes I am aware of lists, but I was worried that Sharepoint lists might not be powerful enough to handle a lot of data.  Especially since there is no option to create "tabs".  We have dozens of tracking sheets in my company, and some have over a hundred data entries in a single sheet. 

I read somewhere on the web that discouraged using SharePoint at all as a database, which is disconcerting because I am putting a lot of effort to build this perfect work system for our company in Sharepoint.

Answer 3

Hi DN4559,

Yes, this is correct SharePoint list do not have tabs like Excel but one can create multiple lists (one list for each tab in Excel) and then link those lists using calculated column (Examples of common formulas in lists).

Another thing that comes to my mind is that if you want same experience as Excel, you can upload your Excel workbook to a document library and then use File viewer webpart or Embed web part to show your Excel workbook on a SharePoint page. This way users can fill the data in the webpart. These are just the suggestions; I understand this might not be an ideal way for you considering your business requirement.

In this situation, I would like to invite @community members to this post to share their brilliant ideas/ solution which can help in this scenario.

Kind regards,

Neha

Answer 4

Would SQL Server allow me to do what I am looking for?