Distributing an Access database to users without Access

[comboy]

Hi Folks,

Can any one tell me if it's possible to distribute an Access application to users who don't have Access installed on their pc from a network drive.
The users need to be able to enter and view information to the froms and produce reports via queries.


Any help greatly appreciated,

Graham.

 

[fredericofonseca]

You can distribute the Access runtime.

Search Microsoft.com for this info.

Regards

Frederico Fonseca
SysSoft Integrated Ltd

http://www.syssoft-int.com

 

[lupins46]

Yes ...but....
To distribute to non-Access users you must create a runtime only version of Access and your application and distribute that. Distribution of the Access runtime requires a license to distribute. The runtime version is more or less a full retail version of Access with all development capability disabled.

The license to distribute and the tools for creating the runtime package are obtained as part of what are generally termed the Developer extensions to MS-Office. The actual name for the developer extensions varies from Office version to Office version.
For Office2003, you have to buy 'Visual Studio tools For Office System 2003'; for Office XP you must buy the Developer Edition of OfficeXP; for Office 2000 you could buy the Office 2000 Developer and for Office97 you could buy Office 97 Developer Edition Tools.

Each of these allows you to create a runtime version of an Access application developed in that version of Access.

However, while it is easy to buy the current developer tools it gets progressively more difficult to acquire the tools for each preceding version. MS do not sell them; you have to use second-user outlets to get them or use somewhere like Ebay.

 

[comboy]

Thanks lads I'll have a look into this.

Graham

 

[jfhewitt]

Can you convert the Access db to an Excel sheet? Many times this is very easy, and simpler for the user. I have almost stopped using Access for most tasks...Excel is easier.

 

[jender624]

Excel is a good tool for calculation analysis and format to make the data look "pretty", but I don't think I would suggest using it for long term data retention. Here are a couple reasons:

1. If this is a multi-user database, excel wouldn't be a good bet because a worksheet can only be updated by one user at a time.
2. You can't protect the data using referential integrity rules like you can in Access.
3. Excel is limited in its query capability compared to SQL strings that can be created dynamically in Access using the query design view.
4. Access can hold way more data than Excel, which is limited to 65500 rows.

I usually find that it is easiest for the user to develop a front end application using Access to give them a simple way to enter and query their data, if they are looking to retain data over an extended period of time.

jender624

 

[comboy]

Guys I agree with jender Excel will not work for what I required the Dbase to perform. I've looked into Runtime but I am only starting to learn VBA from a book so it will be a while before I get up to speed with full on development so I'm purchasing 3 copies of Access for the persons who will be required to enter/view info.

Thanks for your input.

Graham