I use PostgreSQL, which is a real database. I use DBeaver as the database manager. It allows me to enter data by typing it in. For reports, I query the data. It has autocomplete. No forms.

For presentation, I toss the data on Excel. Bold the headers. Change the number type (pct, $, etc) to the correct one.

I would say that it has made my life a lot easier. There is one repository where the data is held. If I mess up, I go back to the master tables. In Excel, I would usually start over. Joins are easy. Excel can do some things better. When it can, then I use it. It's not a one or the other. It's ok to use both.