There are many different data bases and data base management programs. Oracle and people Soft are popular applications used to manage a large organization. Access is a frequently used data base program for smaller needs. ClarisWorks and Microsoft Works also contain data base components.
Search engines used on the web essentially serve data base management functions.
Because of the wide range of data base applications this tutorial will focus on using Excel to teach concepts and some common functions of a data base management system. If you are familiar with Excel as a spreadsheet you can skip to Data Base Functions. Widen the column if needed to show your full field. A form rather then a a spreadsheet layout is often used for working with a data base. Next to bring up the record with that field.