Comic Collection Maker?

[Chad Bonin]

Just wondering, I figured it was about time that I make a list of my comics. If there's no simple program, does someone know how to, say, come up with a list in Excel that can be alphabatized and printed? I really don't know how to use Excel...

[Zebi]

You know, that's a great idea! :anime: I should start doing that with my comics. I don't have a lot right now, but it would be a good idea to start before the collection gets too big. Does anyone here have suggestions on what sort of information should be included in this kind of file?

If you want to learn how to use Excel, this tutorial (http://www.fgcu.edu/support/office2000/excel/index.html) is a basic introduction that will get you started. It's for Excel 2000, so you'll need to do a search for another tutorial if you don't have that version of the program.

Edit: Just including a link to the Access 2000 tutorial (http://www.fgcu.edu/support/office2000/access/index.html), in case anyone would like to follow the suggestion fxmatt made.

[Chad Bonin]

I have roughly three long boxes (two long and two short), and I think it might help me remember what I need to track down.

Like, I have some of iCandy, and most of The Ultimates Vol. 1...

[fxmatt]

I developed an MS Access database that I have been using the last 7 years, it works great. For each issue I have a feild for title, volume #, issue #, date published, cover price, publisher, writer, penciller, inker, colorist and a field for misc notes. With this I am able to do any kind of query I need. For instance, If I want a list of every comic that Norm Breyfogle pencilled I can run a query based on that criteria and include other pertinent fields with the result. I can also generate a formal report based on any criteria, which is nice to print out and bring to cons as to which issues I'm missing of a particular title. The other great thing is that once a specific value is entered I no longer have to type out the whole thing again just the first few letters in most cases.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

Comic Base (http://www.human-computing.com/ComicBase.html) is probably the definitive comic book database software. Unfortunately, it's also $129.00 for the Standard Edition, and $299.00 for the super-mega deluxe dance remix edition. Works with Windows and Mac.

Collectorz (http://www.collectorz.com/) looks like another collection management software package. They have a variety of different, specialized programs including one for comics. Much cheaper than Comic Base, but I have no idea how good the software is. Windows only.

Otherwise, this page (http://www.dereksantos.com/wahoo/Software/Databases/) has links to a number of other packages for comic-book collection management, but quite a few of them don't work any more. Feel free to click around, but I'd make sure your pop-up blocker is working -- the out-dated sites may have been taken over by one of the more insistent Internet smut peddlers.

I'd say Access databases or Excel spreadsheets are probably fine if you've only got 3 long-boxes worth of comics, as long as you make sure you think through the fields you want to track up front. It'd be a pain to omit, say, the inker or something and then find out that you really did want it later.

-- Ed/Ace

[Chad Bonin]

Alright, say in Excel 2000, I want to alphabitize column A, and keep the respective value in column B with it's same issue.

Like, in column A, I have the name of the comic ("Shonen Jump #16" or "The Ultimates Vol. 1 #01"), in column B the amound of copies. If I alphabatize list A, list B won't go with it, will it?

[Clayface]

Alright, say in Excel 2000, I want to alphabitize column A, and keep the respective value in column B with it's same issue.

Like, in column A, I have the name of the comic ("Shonen Jump #16" or "The Ultimates Vol. 1 #01"), in column B the amound of copies. If I alphabatize list A, list B won't go with it, will it?

If you hightlight both columns, and then hit the alphabetize button, the values will follow the titles as they're resorted.

[Chad Bonin]

Ah, cool. Now I can start actually working on it...

[DR.MID-NITE]

I use a program called "My Database" that I was able to set up to include all the info I need. The biggest pain is entering everything and then filing them away in the correct location. I have almost 5k comics (been collecting since 1979) and over 20 boxes.

[Clayface]

Its good that you're starting you database now while your collections is "small". I've got over 20 long boxes of comics, and I didn't start organizing them into an excel spread sheet database until just this last year. It's been a monumental task trying to get all those backissues put in. But, keeping up with new releases is easy - every week I just enter my new purchases in as I read them. It's great for keeping track of what I do and don't have, and its been a tremendously helpful resource for conventions - I get the list of creators that will be signing at the convention, and just search through my database to see what comics I have by each of them.

[Zebi]

Alright, say in Excel 2000, I want to alphabitize column A, and keep the respective value in column B with it's same issue.

Like, in column A, I have the name of the comic ("Shonen Jump #16" or "The Ultimates Vol. 1 #01"), in column B the amound of copies. If I alphabatize list A, list B won't go with it, will it?I'm not a pro with the more advanced Excel features, but I do use the program daily at work, so I can walk you through this. :) I'm going to assume that you've given each column in your spreadsheet a title. For example, we'll call A1 "Title" and B1 "Amount of Copies".

1. Go to the Data menu and select Sort. This will select the entire worksheet.

2. If you've given your columns names, go to the My list has option at the bottom, and select Header row. This is important, because if it is not selected, Excel will assume that your column name is another piece of data that you want sorted.

3. Under the first Sort by choose the column you want to sort by. If you have No header row selected (at the bottom), your choices will be Column A, Column B, etc. If you do have Header row selected, the names you've given your columns will appear (in this case, "Title").

4. Choose whether you'd like your data to be sorted Ascending (A-Z) or Descending (Z-A).

5. Once you've made all your choices, click OK and the data will be sorted.

I noticed that you mentioned both manga and comic titles. When you create a new workbook (Excel file), you are given three worksheets to use - you will see tabs at the bottom of the window named Sheet1, Sheet2, and Sheet3. These can be renamed. Right-click on any one of the tabs and choose Rename. You can also insert new worksheets - right click on one of the tabs and choose Insert.... A box with your selections will come up - choose Worksheet. You can also drag the tabs around if you want to re-arrange them. You may find this handy if you'd like to keep separate worksheets for your Marvel and DC comics, manga, etc. rather than having all of them on one sheet.

Please let me know if this made sense. If you like, I can give you help with Excel when I get home from work, or I can type out some further instructions.

[Chad Bonin]

I think I've got a good hand on it, thanks.

[Chad Bonin]

So, I entered all my comics.

722 (not counting dupes).

So Horrible It's Funny Cover- Reacto Man #1
Full Runs Of- Sonic the Hedgehog, Knuckles the Echidna, Ultimate War, Ultimate Daredevil/Elektra, Superman: Red Son, Truth, and probably a few other tiny ones.
The "How Do I Own This" Comic- Jesus.