Help linking Database to form

I need some help linking a database to my form window. To give an idea what I am trying to do, Ill explain.

I work for an office supply company. We have sales associates who call and ask for various skus for various items. I have created the forms for each category that the associate will use. The problem I am currently running into is setting up a database and figuring out the best way to retrieve the information from it.

This would be a typical scenario that the associate would use the form and database:

Associate would click on the PRINTER CARTRIDGES button which would trigger the corresponding form. The associate would then select the manufacturer of the cartridge from a drop down box. The program would then contact the database and retrieve the different models for that particular manufacturer. The associate would then select the corresponding model and then click get information. The form would contact the database again and return the results to the text boxes on the form (i.e. sku, yield, printers it will work with etc...)

I thought about using MS Access but am having trouble understanding how to setup the database so that when the program calls the db that the information will be right where I need it in the db. I also thought about using Excel so that form could call on the specific cell and return the information in that cell to the text box. What would be easier? I would prefer to use Access tho I am not very fluent with either program or programming.

I would really appreciate any and all help with this project. My company has deemed this project miniscule to put a coporate programmer on it so I have taken the initative to learn myself. And seeing how I am up for a raise this month, I would greatly appreciate any help.

I do have the project files zipped to send to you if you need to reference the program to help me figure it out.

Patrick Masters
Staples Direct

Big job this as you need to learn about access and database basics (and in a month for your raise!). I suggest you do this in Access, but for the moment use one of the Access templates available (I can't remember what is there, but there is one for order tracking, also asset tracking, etc etc.) Follow the instructions and get you boss happy. Then pull it apart to find out what is going on, and make changes as you need them.