(If marks are in another sheet, you can use VLOOKUP to bring them in and then apply GPA calculation logic).
Charts: You can create charts to visualize data, such as the distribution of students across different programs.
Limitations of Excel for a College Student Database:
Relational Capabilities: Excel is not designed for complex relationships between different sets of data (e.g., linking students to multiple courses with grades in a structured way). For this, a proper database system is better.
Data Integrity: While data validation business owner data helps, it's not as robust as the constraints offered by a true DBMS.
Concurrency: Multiple users cannot easily edit the same Excel file simultaneously without potential conflicts.
Scalability: For very large numbers of students and complex data, Excel can become slow and less efficient.
Security: Excel offers basic password protection, but it's not as secure as dedicated database systems.
For a more robust and scalable solution for a college student database, especially if you need to manage complex academic records, consider using a proper database management system like:
Microsoft Access: A good option if you are familiar with the Microsoft ecosystem and need a more relational approach than Excel.