I would like to have one table entitled 'contacts', which then includes all different groups of people who I then allocate to different categories, other tables etc etc.

Firstly is this right?!

I have imported one sheet from excel, but if I name this table as 'contacts' and then want to import another data sheet which I also want to put in 'contacts' it asks me if I want to override the first one. It doesn't seem to give you the option to add it on to the end. I'm a bit confused because I don't want to end up with loads of different tables with different groups of contacts on them - or do I?!

Thanks!
Nancy

Hi Nancy,
Thank you for your post, in answer to your first question I will answer 'Yes that is right' so long as you realise that when you are allocating them to different categories you will be using a query.

Importing a sheet from Excel is quite straighforward using the File>Get external Data>Import command, then navigating to your Excel worksheet and importing the table.

However you cannot then add to this an Access table, you will have to import other tables into Access as new tables, if however as you say you wish to have them all in one table you are going to have to use an Append Query.

An easy way to append data from one table to another (if they have the same structure) is to copy the new table from the Database window, and then paste it straight back into the Database window, (Select>Copy>Paste). You will be presented with a dialog box and in Paste options you will see Append Data to Existing Table. Select this option, Type the name of the Table to be appended to and click OK, your new entries will be inserted at the end of the file. You can now delete the imported table if you wish.
I hope that has helped. regards Pete