I've been logging my record collection for years and use a spreadsheet to enter the data and a database to store it. The problem I have is that, while spreadsheets are fine for entering, copying data etc, they are not designed for storing large amounts of information and are not as good as databases at extracting it. On the other hand, data entry via database is laborious and time consuming.

I therefore have a spreadsheet set up with the following fields:-

Country of origin. ID No. Medium. Dolby setting (for cassettes only). Record Label. Catalogue No. Type of music. Track Title. Performer's Location. Recording Date. Recording Location. Field Collector/Engineer. Roud No. Child No. Other Nos. Ensemble/Artist. Notes

My database file is set up with the same fields. Therefore, once I've entered a set of data to the spreadsheet, all I have to do is cut and paste it to the database.

Obviously, unless you're a raving nutter like me, and you need to list every track in a huge and multifarious collection, you won't need all these fields. And you certainly won't need them if you just want to make a list of your record titles. But the principle remains the same. If you've got a collection of any size, it's much easier working on it via a database.