Access is a powerful database and can do many wonderful things. It is also somewhat difficult to use.   I have tried it but have never wanted to put in the time it would take to make it work for me. I do prefer a database to a spreadsheet for cataloging my CDs but what I actually do is use both. I use the Works database which is much more more user friendly than Access but also more limited, however, it does what I need. You can sort by any field with a couple of clicks. I also use the Excel spreadsheet. Depending on the nature of what I am entering, I will sometimes enter the information in Excel and copy and paste into Works. Excel will automatically enter words after you type a letter or two once you have used the word and if you want to enter the same data in every record, it can be done in one step in Excel and two steps in Works. Using Works and Excel requires two programs Office and Works, but I do like Excel much better than the spreadsheet that comes in Works. I could get by without Excel, but I had it on the computer so I put it to work. One drawback to the spreadsheet is that you have to make sure every column is highlighted when you sort or you could hopelessly jumble the data in your records.