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[KD2E]

A BIG database....like Hyundai tracking which dealers have what part number replacement parts...or a grocery store corporate tracking all the stores stock, and volume sales.......
I don't think good 'ol Excel is still being used....although, I'm sure it could.
But these days (I think) there are newer, slicker, more graphical and downright cool database
type programs that can spit out graphs etc., and connect with other stuff...
Anyway.... Can anyone shed light on what sort of applications are HOT for that kind of purpose these days??

[N8NK]

Congrats- you got your callsign up in lights. As for the non-question question, I'm confused by it. Did you actually ask a question? The post confuses me as to it's purpose.
N8NK

[KD2E]

The question would be the part before the question mark. But, don't worry about it.

[WA3SKN]

SQL and the other "work horses" are all still around... your just talking about your windows interface.  That's where the "pretty" comes in.

-Mike.

[K0UA]

I am not sure what was meant either, as Excel never was a database. And it still isn't.

[KD2E]

Yes, poor choice of wording: Not a database, but a spreadsheet, or worksheet full of data. Data that tracks things like I mentioned...Like those lot and batch numbers on some food items, when there is a problem. They know when made, where sold to etc. etc.

[KA2DDX]

Excel is in widespread use in corporate America and education.

However, not sure what you're trying to accomplish. Your "question" is somewhat open ended and may be best asked in a pc support forum.

[W1VT]

https://clublog.org/
One of the largest databases that I know of.
Folks upload their logs and it does awards keeping for you. 
As well as matching QSOs for an online QSL service.
https://www.m0oxo.com/2015/12/08/a-brief-history-of-clublog/
It is difficult to sum up every feature, but to finish setting the scene, Club Log is currently storing 300 million QSOs that are owned by 45,000 users from every corner of the globe.

[AI5BC]

OK, but I don't think you will have a clue what the answer means
SAP
MySQL
Oracle.

Excell is NOT a database.

[KX4OM]

Well, my very basics are:

1) Flat file - Tabulations of logical data, often as CSV rows and columns in a single table for entry storage, manipulation and retrieval by computer programs or merely printed out for data capture and analysis

2) Spreadsheet - Rows and columns of logical data in a single table that can be mathematically operated on within the application program, can be selected by sorting, made into charts, pivot tables for data capture and analysis

3) Relational database - Data as fields and related to other data by keys or in other databases, can be selected using structured query language

All have been around for quite some time. Flat files for millennia.

Ted, KX4OM

[AA6YQ]

OK, but I don't think you will have a clue what the answer means
SAP
MySQL
Oracle.

Excell is NOT a database.

Agreed. Excel can, however, be directed to load information from a database table. Each record in the table populates a row in the spreadsheet. It's best to load a copy of the desired database table, as changes inadvertently made in Excel could if saved render the table un-usable.

[WI9MJ]

You are actually asking several questions.
The first is how do you store big data, and the answer is in a relational database like MySQL, Postgresql, Oracle, and others.

The second is how do you get the data out in readable form. That answer can be a subset of data extracted to excel where you can sort and make charts and graphs. Other more powerful data reporting tools are things like Crystal Reports and MS SQL Server Reporting.

[KG4LAC]

Sorry, not trying to be a PITA, but what is a database? Rows and columns. What is MSExcel? Rows and columns. Yes, MSExcel is a DB contrary to the prior posts.

Is MSExcel the best DB? Where, "best" is subjective. Best for what?

MSExcel is considered a "flat file" DB where data is repeated. MSExcel is NOT a relational DB.

A step up from MSExcel is MSAccess.

Stepping further is MSSQL (there is a free version for Windows 10/11).

Let me know if I can help...

[KD0REQ]

LAC: a relational database is not rows and columns, but a series of linked fields. generally accessed through Structured Query Language, which is very very powerful.

business use of Excel is a quick hack, because it is not as powerful and doesn't pose the risk of goofing a command and blowing up the core database.  usually started by a SQL read of the required data to comma-delimited output, which imports directly to Excel, either a single script or build a file, import to Excel.

in any event, because Excel is more user-friendly to the suits, that's where they do their forecasting, seeking clues on whether to do a project, etc. playing what-if is not a threat to business when done in Excel.

for Joe Ham, there is no need to get a costly license and costly hardware set up for a relational database, Excel works just fine. plus, if you goof, but were smart enough to work on a renamed copy of the core data, close enough to bulletproof. assuming you don't hit the limit of 65536 elements.

[KG4LAC]

Are posts actually read?

I clearly wrote, in my post, MSExcel is NOT a relational DB.