Difference In Excel, Access & SAS

	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages
Excel	§Data manipulation and analysis program for which the user provides cell-based data and instructions to produce numerical and graphical output	§Cell-based model creation §Ability to model "what-if" scenarios §Comprehensive graphing and print formatting functions	§Basic functionality for novice users (extended greatly if you know macros)
Access	§Data storage and retrieval program for which the user provides record and table-based data and instructions to produce numerical, textual (typically tabular) and graphical output	§  Ability to: –Structure complex and interrelated data –Run complex queries on data –Develop customer applications	§Substantial setup time for structuring data and creating tables §Can't easily manipulate data in individual cells
SAS	§High-power record and table-based data analysis tool for managing queries and statistical analysis	§More powerful analytic functions	§Limited applicability and access to program