Relational Tables (or, the best way to fake a Database)

My main table has lots of columns. Many of the columns are lookups to other tables. If I were using Access, I'd have the whole thing set up as a relational database, with smaller tables and queries and stuff. For now, I need to stay with Excel.

As I understand it, there are several tools that might help me treat Excel as a relational database: MS-Query, Power Query, and Power Pivot. Maybe others, I don't know. Can someone explain the difference between these, and help guide me towards a decision?

I should note that my "output" consist of separate Excel worksheets that I distribute to the users, who update the data (without using any add-ins) and return them to me. Whatever method I use has to be able to do that.

I'm using Excel 2010 (Professional Plus). I can install add-ins, as can my supervisor, but as I said above I can't count on anyone else having them.

Thanks for your advice.

- Shawn

Why not just use access? This seems hacky and a lot of work - especially if you are planning on adding data, excel just isn't relational

Originally Posted by Kyle123

Why not just use access? This seems hacky and a lot of work - especially if you are planning on adding data, excel just isn't relational

Can Access let me send a table out to my users, have them update the data, and send it back?