Do you believe in love at first sight? The object of my affection here is HanDBase, a simple "flat-file" database program (see sidebar) for the Pocket PC. HanDBase lets you create your own custom databases to store the information you need on your Pocket PC.

Build your own databases with HanDBase

Database applications store and organize information so that you can get at it easily. The Pocket PC and Handheld PC come with specialized databases built in, including Contacts, Tasks, Calendar, and Inbox. What's missing on the Pocket PC is an easy way to create custom databases to organize other information in a way that makes sense to you. HanDBase adds this capability to the Pocket PC.

The beauty of HanDBase is that it's easy to learn and simple to use. With it you can build useful and functional databases in just a few minutes right on your Pocket PC. Note: I cover the process of creating a HanDBase database in detail in a separate article, titled, "Building Your First HanDBase Database Applet," found on the PocketPC.Com Web site (www.microsoft.com/mobile/pocketpc/stepbystep/handbase.asp).

Information is entered into the database using customized data entry forms, which can include pull-down menus, check boxes, calendar pop-ups for entering dates, and more (see Screen 1). You can create or download many different database files and use HanDBase to view them, to enter or delete data, and more.

Screen 1: HanDBase lets you create data entry forms that can include pull-down menus, check boxes, calendar pop-ups for entering dates, and more.

Using HanDBase to access your data

After you open a HanDBase database, the main screen displays a list of all of the records in that database. For example, Screen 2 shows a database of the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 movies of all time. You can scroll left or right to see all the data fields associated with each record. You can add a record by tapping the page icon at the bottom of the screen. You can edit a record by simply tapping it. 

Screen 2: The HanDBase main list view showing the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 movies.

The HanDBase Actions menu is accessed at the bottom of the display (see Screen 3). It pops up a menu that lets you move, copy, export, print, or delete records. You can also use the Action menu to Find specific items. Sort the database, and Run Reports. You can even share databases with another Pocket PC or Palm OS device using the Infrared transmission option.

Screen 3: The HanDBase Action menu lets you move, copy, export, print, or delete records, and more.

One of the best things you can do from the Action menu is to create a filtered view of the database (see Screen 4). Filters are the key to effectively using HanDBase. They help you find the records you're looking for by narrowing down a large database into a smaller subset. For example, using the AFI Top 100 Greatest American Movies list, you could use a filter to display only movies that won the Academy Award.

Screen 4: Filters help you find data by narrowing down the database into a smaller subset containing just the data you're looking for.

Download over 700 free HanDBase database files

The original Palm OS version of HanDBase has been around awhile and satisfied users have already created databases for almost every imaginable use.

Over 700 of these database files are available for free download at the developer's Web site (www.ddhsoftware.com/gallery.html). I've mentioned the Top 100 Greatest American Movies database containing the information from the top 100 films of all time, selected by the American Film Institute (www.afionline.org). You'll also find a car maintenance log, genealogy resources tracker, rental property manager, and even a database of James Bond films.

Key part of my Pocket PC toolkit

Most people want to create small, single-purpose databases that don't need the power of a full SQL (Structured Query Language) relational database. Because of this, many use Excel or another spreadsheet program to track their data. While this is a workable solution, a spreadsheet's search and sort features aren't as powerful or easy to use as those of a database program.

On the other hand, HanDBase is very easy to use. It lets you create fill-in forms to enter, edit or view data. And its powerful filtering capability lets you find the information you need, quickly. A desktop PC version of HanDBase comes bundled with the Pocket PC version. This lets you swap database files between your desktop PC and Pocket PC. The desktop PC version of HanDBase also lets you import other database files (CSV, XLS, DOC, HTML, and XML format) and export data in CSF format.

HanDBase has quickly become a key part of my Pocket PC toolkit. I consider it a "must-have" Pocket PC application. Visit my MobileViews Web site (www.MobileViews.com) for more commentary about HanDBase, Pocket PCs, and Mobile Workforce issues.

HanDBase is a flat-file database. Think of it as a simple matrix of columns ("fields") and rows ("records"), much like an Excel spreadsheet. Each field contains a single unit of data like a phone number, first name, last name, etc. Each record is the collection of fields that describe the item. HanDBase is not a sophisticated "relational database," but it does support linking databases together using the Link fields and Linked fields options. You can learn more about this in the article, "Building Your First HanDBase Database Applet," mentioned above.

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