Whilst both Excel and Access can be used to create a database, as has
already been mentioned Access is the correct tool for database creation
having much more power to "sort" data.
However as with all powerful tools they usually require a bit more
training in their use. To use Access competently usually either requires
a 1 or 2 day course from a professional trainer such as New Horizon or
umpteen hours of hard and frustrating self teach - although the self
teach CD's available from the software house  MS are very good.
The other thing to decide prior to creating a database is "what do I
want to extract from it eventually" - better to have plenty of
individual columns e.g. a "name"column made up of names starting with
the titles Mr, Mrs or Ms cannot sort thru' names alphabetically since
all names start with M, better to have a column for titles, a seperate
column for surnames etc.
Having set up a well thought-out database, the power of sorting is
however very impressive - but remember to get the bees permission
regarding the personnel data recording act -some queens may be sensitive
about you holding personal information about them!
Alan Riach
Edinburgh