Anyone familiar with Microsoft Access?

[Guest $iLk]

Here's what I am trying to accomplish. I'm entering data onto a Microsoft Access Database Form. I want to be able to add lots of information into a database, and export the database to be read from a computer without Microsoft Access.

Do I have to create a program in Visual Basic or something to read the database files to look as they do in Access?

Or is there a way I can export the Access forms as an Executable that can be used from anywhere?

[Steve Schacher]

You can create an Access ODBC link to the Access database, then use something like Excel to read the Access database and populate a worksheet.

In Excel, you go to Data-->Get External Data-->Create New Query. This will invoke Microsoft Query, a SQL-based query interface. You pick the ODBC link for the Access database, then write the query from the Access tables. When you close MS Query, it sends the data back to Excel. You can set options in Excel to automatically refresh the spreadsheet on open. This way, the spreadsheet becomes a real-time report against your Access database.

[Guest $iLk]

What I would like to do, is use a program that can read my Access Database on a computer that is not equipped with Microsoft Office.

I'm using Access 2002, and I create a form, sort of like a VB form with database info, and a picture.

I'm wanting to be able to enter data, with picture descriptions on a form. And have it readable outside of MS OFFICE.

[Steve Schacher]

Are the computers network-connected? I'm assuming so, otherwise how will it access the database?

If you just want to take an extract from the database and copy it locally on the non-Office (non-networked) computer, you can create a query in Access that has the data you want, run it, and then Save As/Export the data. The Save As/Export will open a window where you can select the Save As Type, which has many other formats available for saving the data.

I'm not sure that this is heading where you want to go.

[Guest $iLk]

Wanting the database file itself to be part of a program.

Don't want it to be remote access.

Want to create a database file, with all the information in an Access form. And then have it be a stand alone program with the DB information inside.

[Steve Schacher]

I don't think you can do that with Access. It's all or nothing.

If it's a cost issue, you might want to pursue MySql, which I believe is free. You can get it at www.mysql.org.

[ 06-28-2002, 04:47 PM: Message edited by: Steve Schacher ]

[Tyrn]

You have to either build a front end (you can use any language as long as it interfaces with ODBC) or purchase rights to distribute the Access Runtime.

[Pugwash]

If you go down the MySql root you could also use the free PHP language available from www.php.net/

With this cross platform language and HTML code you can write pages to access / query the database in any browser.

You would also need a suitable web server (PWS, IIS, Apache) to serve the pages.

[Guest $iLk]

Any way I could insert items into the database, place the DB onto a CDROM or other media and access it using a front end on a computer without Access installed?

What I'm doing is placing items into a database using Access 2002. I save the database as a Access 2000 database, and do my data entry in form mode rather than in table entry.

I'm wanting to create an executable that will allow me to transport this information in the database onto a CD ROM and have other computers read the information from it - without having Access installed.