Part of my job involves analysing data so I am familiar with a well known spreadsheet package. However, a lot of the data is contained in different documents so I decided a database was more appropriate. Bento, my previous database, was not up to the job. It is good at what it does, but that is it.
So I tried the "Big Two", running Microsoft Access through a third party app (I'm on a Mac) and Filemaker Pro natively.
Filemaker has a steep learning curve, but makes much more sense than the other package- I ran screaming from that one within 30 minutes!
So, why haven't I rated it as 5*? Partly due to the fact I can't use it properly yet! I have several ideas, and more come to mind each time but I am still not comfortable with it at the moment. I have ordered the "Missing Manual" book to go with it and then we will be well away.
If Microsoft is not your preferred choice and Bento isn't powerful enough for you check out Filemaker