hi taera I as well recommend that you do not use excel as a database.
Mysql is free and can be used on most os's
If you want send me a pm... and let me know what your doing....
Perhaps I can send you some sample code... or point you to that direction.
The scripting language php and/or asp is good to learn ( both scripts are rather similar, it is the coding concepts that take time ).
The good thing about the database and a scripting language is that you can do your table generation (with data )on the fly using responce.write
There are a few really good tutorials on creating a database driven web site that will help you.
such as asp today. 4 guys from rolla,
http://www.phpbuilder.com/
www.planet-source-code.com
As your new at this. I recommend you learn it the right way first time around.
At first it will seem like alot of investment in time... But it will save time a few weeks down the road.
A solid weekend is all it should take to learn basic mysql and one of the scripting Languages at a basic level( to a point you understand what you need to do to create spread sheets on the fly from a database )
And it will help you with reading source code examples so you can take and reuse.
Trial and error will help you gain experience