Microsoft Access: Is it still relevant in 2021?

 

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Microsoft Access: Is it still relevant in 2021?

Microsoft Access is a time-worn relational database management system. It was innovative in its day but it faces a lot more competition in the RDBMS market today. Is it worth learning Access’s foibles to set up a personal database? Aren’t there better alternatives and newer options available? This topic has become increasingly divisive with industry opinions being quite split. We investigate.

STEPHEN COOPER

@VPN_News UPDATED: May 20, 2021

Is Microsoft Access going away?

Is MS Access still used? Some History

Microsoft Office is almost 30 years old – it was launched in November 1990. Not many software packages have enjoyed such longevity. However, the Microsoft bundle hasn’t stayed the same over the years. Some elements get added, while others get dropped. One component of the productivity suite that is still in there is Microsoft Access.

Access debuted in 1992. Microsoft had struggled to produce a desktop DBMS for years and fast-tracked the development process by buying up one of the sector’s market leaders, FoxPro. Although Microsoft continued to market and develop FoxPro, it was able to pick at some of the code and services of its new acquisition to bump-start its own database engine project. The transfusion was successful.

Access rode on the success of Windows. The package’s main rivals failed to spot the rise in this operating system and didn’t release Windows versions fast enough. Microsoft also killed off FoxPro to make room in the market for MS Access. The success of the tool increased when it was included in Microsoft Office in 1995.

The tool then became part of the Microsoft Office evolutionary pipeline with a requirement to get overhauled regularly in synchronization with the development of other Office components. This really took Access to the next level.

One problem with Microsoft Access is that it has its own file format that isn’t compatible with any other system. While Microsoft adopted an OpenDocument Format-compatible XML-based file structure for Excel and Word, it left the old file structure of Access alone.

The .docx and .xmlx file formats of Word and Excel have become the universal touchstone of file types in their respective application fields. However, the .accdb format used by Access never caught the public’s imagination and other developers of rival productivity suites weren’t interested in building Access file compatibility into their desktop database applications.

A common use of Microsoft Access is to keep it as a front end to more commercially successful DBMSs. For example, Access can attach to an Oracle database, so business applications written in Access can connect through to data held in an Oracle database. Access can also front for SQL Server and Sybase. However, this repurposing of the Access application feels a little like a half-life. Is this the last resort for Access, acting as a skin to more successful RDBMSs?

As the demand for Access programming language skills lessens, fewer programmers bother to learn the system. This begins a cycle of decline where the lack of an available developer skills pool puts project managers off from using an environment to develop a new product. So, the shortage of programmers with data management skills creates a shortage of projects in that language and the lack of demand for those skills makes mastering that language a poor career move. Thus, the skills pool shrinks further and the cycle of decline continues. Microsoft Access could be following COBOL, FoxPro, and SQLBase down the path to oblivion.

MS Access faced an uncertain future

Continue: https://www.comparitech.com/net-admin/microsoft-access/

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New Microsoft Office arrives Oct. 5, and won't require you to pay for a subscription

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Don't want to subscribe to Microsoft 365? Don't worry: Consumers and small businesses will be able to buy Office 2021 as a one-time purchase this fall, the same time Windows 11 launches.

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Microsoft's new, flat-price version of its Office productivity software will arrive on Oct. 5 -- the same day Windows 11 begins rolling out, according to a company blog post Thursday. 

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Microsoft previously emphasized that while its main focus remains in its subscription offering, Microsoft 365, it will release the one-time purchase Office 2021 for those who aren't ready to move to the cloud.

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Office 2021 arrives in two versions: one for commercial users, called Office LTSC (which stands for Long Term Servicing Channel), and one for personal use. Office LTSC is generally available today, the post said, and includes enhanced accessibility features, performance improvements across Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and visual improvements, like dark mode support across apps. It's meant for specialty situations, as opposed to for an entire organization, such as process control devices on the manufacturing floor that are not connected to the internet. 

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SOURCE:

https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/new-microsoft-office-arrives-oct-5-and-wont-require-you-to-pay-for-a-subscription/

MS Access Edit MDB Files Without Access Installed Software download

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View, edit or create MDB files without having to previously install Microsoft Access on your computer. Use the buttons on the UI to delete, create or modify the required tables and fields. The tool does not include support for MS Access ACCDB databases.

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This software offers a solution for users who want to create and edit MS Access MDB files without having Access installed. The user first chooses to create a new database or open an existing one. There are clearly labeled buttons for all the usual options to create, change or remove tables and records. This lightweight and user-friendly software allows users to handle MS Access databases on any PC without having Access installed. MS Access ACCDB files are not supported.

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https://ms-access-edit-mdb-files-without-access.software.informer.com/

Microsoft 365 review

 

Microsoft 365 review

Still the best when it comes to workplace productivity, collaboration, and communication

Most people will be familiar with Microsoft’s flagship suite of productivity software, Microsoft 365. It includes household names such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as lesser-known products such as Outlook, OneNote, and OneDrive.

For many years, it has been the standard in productivity software, which is still the case today. However, there are also a lot of changes within the Microsoft 365 universe.

In the past year, Microsoft has deepened its commitment to a subscription-based pricing model and phased out many of its standalone products. This is because Microsoft 365 is designed to work as an ecosystem rather than an assortment of separate applications. Appropriately combined, Microsoft 365 provides businesses with a comprehensive, all-in-one digital workspace, including communications, cloud storage, backup and syncing, and productivity apps. 

SOURCE:

https://www.techradar.com/sg/reviews/microsoft-365-review

Download Access 2016 Runtime

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The Microsoft Access 2016 Runtime enables you to distribute Access 2016 applications to users who do not have the full version of Access 2016 installed on their computers.
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Note: There are multiple files available for this download. Once you click on the "Download" button, you will be prompted to select the files you need.

Version:

2016

File Name:

accessruntime_4288-1001_x64_en-us.exe

accessruntime_4288-1001_x86_en-us.exe

Date Published:

12/4/2015

File Size:

315.6 MB

236.5 MB

Microsoft Access 2016 provides a rich platform for developing database management solutions with easy-to-use customization tools. If no end-user customization is required (including report modifications), you can choose to distribute those Access 2016 solutions so that they run without requiring a full installation of Access 2016. To do so, you must package and distribute your application with the Access 2016 Runtime.

The Access 2016 Runtime is similar to previous runtimes in that all design-related UI is either removed or disabled.

You do not need to buy any special product in order to redistribute the Access 2016 Runtime. You can freely redistribute it or point users to this download.

Web based Apps for SharePoint that are built with Access 2016 do not require a runtime - only a supported web browser is required.

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https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50040

How To Create "Search As You Type" MS Access Form

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Description:

Search-as-You-Type has become a pervasive feature of any modern user interface.  As you begin entering characters, Google now instantly returns search results.  As you type, Bing will begin predicting what you are searching for in the search box.  Access even helps with this when you type into a dropdown box by navigating to the row that begins with the characters you are entering.  Good Access form design includes keeping up with modern UI conventions.  This page and Access sample download can help you add search-as-you-type capability to your own Access forms.

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Link:
http://www.opengatesw.net/ms-access-tutorials/Access-Articles/Search-As-You-Type-Access.html

Download Access 2013 Runtime

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The Microsoft Access 2013 Runtime enables you to distribute Access 2013 applications to users who do not have the full version of Access 2013 installed on their computers.

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Note: There are multiple files available for this download. Once you click on the "Download" button, you will be prompted to select the files you need.

Version:

2013 SP1

File Name:

AccessRuntime_x64_en-us.exe

AccessRuntime_x86_en-us.exe

Date Published:

4/22/2014

File Size:

284.6 MB

212.3 MB

Microsoft Access 2013 provides a rich platform for developing database management solutions with easy-to-use customization tools. If no end-user customization is required (including report modifications), you can choose to distribute those Access 2013 solutions so that they run without requiring a full installation of Access 2013. To do so, you must package and distribute your application with the Access 2013 Runtime.

The Access 2013 Runtime is similar to previous runtimes in that all design-related UI is either removed or disabled.

You do not need to buy any special product in order to redistribute the Access 2013 Runtime. You can freely redistribute it or point users to this download.

Web based Apps for SharePoint that are built with Access 2013 do not require a runtime - only a supported web browser is required.

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http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=39358

Download Access 2010 Runtime

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The Microsoft Access 2010 Runtime enables you to distribute Access 2010 applications to users who do not have the full version of Access 2010 installed on their computers.

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Note: There are multiple files available for this download. Once you click on the "Download" button, you will be prompted to select the files you need.

Version:

1

File Name:

AccessRuntime.exe

AccessRuntime_X64.exe

Date Published:

20/12/2019

File Size:

175.5 MB

212.4 MB

Microsoft Access 2010 provides a rich platform for developing database management solutions with easy-to-use customization tools. If no end-user customization is required (including report modifications), you can choose to distribute those Access 2010 solutions so that they run without requiring a full installation of Access 2010 . To do so, you must package and distribute your application with the Access 2010 Runtime.

The Access 2010 Runtime is similar to previous runtimes in that all design-related UI is either removed or disabled.

You do not need to buy any special product in order to redistribute the Access 2010 Runtime. You can freely redistribute it or point users to this download.

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http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=10910

MS OFFICE ACCESS 2010 Creating Blank Database Form and VBA code module

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1) Create New MS Office Access Database

2) Creating New Form

3) Adding Control Objects into the form

4) Using Object Properties Panel

5) Adding VBA codes

1) Create New MS Office Access Database

1.1) Go to File/New

1.2) In the available templates, select Blank database.

1.3) In the File Name text box (on the right side of application window), type the name MyDbVba1.accdb

Click Create.

1.4) New Database is created.

2) Creating New Form

2.1) Click Create Tab.

Click Blank Form button.

2.2) A new form is created.

3) Adding Control Objects into the form

3.1) There are a number of control objects on the form.

3.2) Click Textbox object and then click on a blank area on the form.

Repeat for a second time.

Don’t worry about the name.

3.3) Add a button control.

Click the button icon.

Click on an area below the text box.

When a Command Button dialog box appears, click Cancel.

Don’t worry about the name/label of the button.

4) Using Object Properties Panel

4.1) Find the Property Sheet button and click it.

4.2) Property Sheet will be displayed at the right side of the application window.

4.3) Change the name of the objects as follows:

lblInput1	txtInput1
lblInput2	txtInput2
	cmdButton1

        

You can change the caption of the objects by going to the Format Tab and edit the Caption field.

5) Adding VBA codes

5.1) In the Property Sheet, find the Event Tab.

Make sure the button labeled as Process is selected.

Under the Event tab, find the On Click event, click “…” button.

5.2) When the Choose Builder dialog window pops up, choose Code Builder.

5.3) You may get error message.

5.4) Switch to Design View.

5.5) In the Property Sheet, select Form and set Has Module Property to Yes.

5.6) Repeat Step 5.1 and 5.2.

VBA Editor window appears.

5.7) Type :

    MsgBox "Hello", , "Test"

5.8) Test Run.

Find the Run button and click it.

5.9) Go back to Access.

5.10) Click View/Form View

5.11) If you click the button labeled as “Process”, you should get the Message Box dialog window as follows:

DOWNLOAD: 

Sample File, https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B86b-ALn-1MGbzNwQTVfSEJORVk/edit?usp=sharing

MS OFFICE ACCESS 2010 CREATING NEW DATABASE FROM TEMPLATE

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1) Create a new document from online template.

1.1)Click File/New.

1.2) In the Available Templates, choose Sample templates.

1.3) Continue with selecting the Students template.

Double-click the icon.

1.4) A new database is created.

You may get security warning message.

Click Enable Content.

1.5) Notice the command menu and navigation pane which you can use to work with database and its objects.

Creating Form For Macro In Microsoft Access

This tutorial continues from http://ms-access-free-zone.blogspot.com/2013/10/creating-macro-in-microsoft-office.html

1) Creating A Form

2) Adding a Command Button to the form

3) Manually set the properties for Command Button

5) Adding an Event Listener to the Command Button

6) Running the Form

1) Creating A Form

1.1) Click Create Tab.

Click Form Design button.

1.2) Outcome:

2) Adding a Command Button to the form

2.1) Click Design Tab.

Click the Command Button.

2.2) Click and drag the mouse on the Form Detail Section to make a box shape for the button.

2.3) The Command Button Wizard window automatically pops up.

Click Cancel.

2.4) Outcome:

The button is given a default name Command0.

3) Manually set the properties for Command Button

3.1) Right-hand click the Command0 button.

3.2) In the Property Sheet type “Hello World!” in the Caption field.

Close the Property Sheet window.

3.3) Outcome:

4) Running the Form

4.1) Click the Form View button.

4.2) Outcome:

5) Adding an Event Listener to the Command Button

5.1) Click the Event Tab.

In the On Click field, find the name “mcrHelloWorld”.

6) Running the Form

6.1) Click the Form View button.

6.2) Outcome: