Long ago, before paper, we had scribes who would scratch markings onto bamboo stalks as a form of record keeping. These stalks were used to pass along text and other information. The bamboo stalks were the O.G. of databases. Also during this time records where kept on sea shells, palm leafs, and animal hides.
Was it perfect? For the time yes. Although, it was prone to being lost to fires, sunlight, time, wars, negligence, and theft.
Then paper was invented. For about 2000 years this has been the number one way records where kept.
Was it perfect? For the time yes. We still have a record of battles, laws, numbers, and discoveries that exist on paper, but still there is a loss due to the above mentioned.
Then came the computer. Back then the database was a giant machine that needed semi-truck to haul it in. It took a team of people to unload it and another team just to program and get it up and running.
Was it perfect? For the time yes. These machines would break down all the time and required constant upkeep. Data loss happened.
Then came Excel. Which is what 99% of the financial and business world runs on today. Is it perfect? For the current time, yes. It allows non-IT people to track numbers and to record information. At the very least, it’s a better database than bamboo stalks and sea shells. Like it or not, Excel is a database.