Using Excel to store multiple values per cell (relational db in excel)?

Question

I'm building a spreadsheet to track Certificate of Deposit (CD) rates from various banks. CD rates can be vastly different per bank: term length (3 months, 6 months, 60 months, etc.), and number of different rates (a rate for 3 month CDs and 6 month CDs for one bank, where another bank offers different rates for 1, 3, 6, 11, 16, and 60 months). My question is, how can I track this information in Excel?

Preferably, I'd like to have a row for each bank, as the sheet will need to track other bank information (bank name, URL, etc.). I figured that I'd need one cell to hold multiple values (an array), or an id to another table (such as a relational database).

Answer 1

This is like trying to draw with ASCII art when Microsoft Word has a draw tool. Do yourself a favor and break down the problem into layers.

For one, I have no idea why you need everything on one row?? Excel formulas can reference whole spreadsheets at a time and calculate all that data into a single cell.

Two, you need to sit down and figure out exactly what you want. If all you need is to track CDs from different banks, there already are templates out there you can download that not only track CDs and their rates, but will also do fancy graphs and cook your breakfast. . .

You should probably sit down and write specifically what you want. It will make writing formulas and macros much much easier, rather than trying to plug in functionality piecemeal (the bane of all developers!! ie the ever changing specs).