In a spreadsheet I get all the information I require and it is easy to get additional information if needed. I can add, modify, and delete headers both horizontally and vertically. I can add, modify, or delete cells, rows, or columns at will. As long as I leave the original data alone, I can add as many calculated columns or rows as I wish. One of my spreadsheets is a complete double entry bookkeeping system. I can use split or freeze to keep the column and row titles visible while scrolling through the data of the various accounts. According to what I read last night, you must be very careful or you may compromise essential data. The implication was that it would be easier and safer to create a new database than to modify it. From the https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Documentation/Publications documentation : "Fields can be added or deleted, but adding a field requires you to enter the data for that one field for every existing record with an entry for that field." "Deleting a field deletes all the data once contained in that field." "Changing the field type of a field can lead to data being lost either partially or completely." "Deleting a table removes all of the data contained in every field of the table." I will continue reading, but so far it seems that a spreadsheet has all the advantages and none of the disadvantages of a database. My knowledge of databases is very limited. If there is any advantage in using a database over a spreadsheet, please share it with me. -- View this message in context: http://nabble.documentfoundation.org/Date-will-not-format-or-sort-when-imported-into-calc-ods-tp4004907p4006428.html Sent from the Users mailing list archive at Nabble.com. -- For unsubscribe instructions e-mail to: users+help@global.libreoffice.org Problems? http://www.libreoffice.org/get-help/mailing-lists/how-to-unsubscribe/ Posting guidelines + more: http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/users/ All messages sent to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted