M4: I believe Excel is generally referred to as a spreadsheet program, not a database program (though granted it can be used as one and perhaps this is the case). I hope you’re not confusing Excel with Access. Access has quite a bit of a learning curve to it right up front.
As others have mentioned, Excel basics are easy – thought admittedly it can really get complicated, too.
If you decide to get a book, let me recommend the “… for Dummies” series of computer books. They are easy to read and reasonably priced. They are invariably bright yellow.
Whatever book you get, try to get one that matches the version of Excel you will be using. With Excel, this will probably be a year (mine is Excel 2000); however, I think the latest version is Excel XP. (The version is presented when entering the program. Alternatively, from the Excel screen, click on the Help command at top and then click on the About command that appears. Actually, just holding down the Alt key and hitting “H” and then “A” – still holding down the Alt key – will probably do it, too).
My recollection is that a full copy of Excel will probably cost you about $250. In theory, you should try to get the same version for home that you use at work, but stores don’t usually have older copies of software (and do you really want to buy old software anyway?).
If you’ve got Microsoft Works on your home computer, it has a very simplified version of Excel in it. Unfortunately, I doubt it will get you very far.
Once you learn it, you’ll find it’s really handy. I use Excel to balance my checkbook, do my taxes, figure my car mileage, and see how much my next Brownell’s order is going to set me back.
Incidentally, never let anyone convince you that kids are smarter at using computers than adults; it is absolutely untrue. The difference is that kids are willing to learn - after all, that’s what being a kid is about. They’re also willing to fail and keep trying. And they have time to burn. IMHO adults don’t lack the “smarts’, but they often lack the mindset.