Frequently Asked Questions
How is AnyDB different from Excel?
Excel is a flexible spreadsheet for calculations, analysis, and ad hoc work. AnyDB is built for connected business operations. It organizes information around structured records such as customers, orders, inventory items, projects, assets, and vendors, with relationships, permissions, workflows, files, forms, and history built in.
Can AnyDB replace an operational Excel workbook?
Yes. AnyDB can replace spreadsheets used for inventory, order tracking, projects, assets, vendors, approvals, compliance, and other recurring business processes. Excel can still be used for specialized analysis while AnyDB becomes the live operational system.
Can I import data from Excel?
Yes. You can import spreadsheet data into AnyDB. The AnyDB team can also help map worksheets, columns, relationships, attachments, formulas, and business rules into a structured operational system.
Will AnyDB feel familiar to Excel users?
Yes. AnyDB includes table views, grid-based record layouts, formulas, filters, sorting, and other familiar patterns. The difference is that the data is stored as connected records rather than isolated cells in separate files.
Does AnyDB support formulas?
Yes. AnyDB supports Excel-style formulas for calculations, text processing, dates, conditions, lookups, and other record logic. Formulas work alongside structured fields, linked records, child records, workflows, and automation.
Can multiple teams work from the same data?
Yes. Teams can work from the same connected records while using different views, forms, pages, and permissions. Updates appear in the live system without copying information between workbooks.
Can customers and vendors submit or view information?
Yes. AnyDB includes forms and secure portals for customers, vendors, partners, contractors, and other external users. You control which records, files, fields, and actions each user can access.
Can AnyDB generate Excel files and other documents?
Yes. AnyDB can generate Excel workbooks, PDFs, Word documents, reports, invoices, purchase orders, certificates, and other business documents directly from live record data.
Does AnyDB include automation and dashboards?
Yes. AnyDB includes assignments, reminders, approvals, workflows, automation, charts, reports, calendars, and dashboards. These capabilities operate on the same connected records.
Can AnyDB help redesign our spreadsheet-based process?
Yes. Share your current workbook or process, and the AnyDB team can help identify the record types, relationships, permissions, forms, workflows, and reports needed for the first working system.