How to easily, efficiently and with no re-coding run Microsoft Access on a MAC
The picture opposite was reproduced from Microsoft’s pricing page for Office 365. The point to highlight is the text below the Access icon saying: “PC Only”. Microsoft don’t do a version of Access for Mac or iPad or even Android tablets.
Database Like Access For Mac
SQLite's code is in the public domain, which makes it free for commercial or private.
- The best way to share an Access database application with Mac users is also one of the best ways of sharing an Access database application full stop. The solution is to use a hosted remote desktop service. Access on a remote desktop. Microsoft have developed a Remote Desktop Client for Mac, iOS and Android, as well as Windows.
- Open Microsoft Access databases on your Mac – regardless if they are in the older MDB or the newer ACCDB format. view, search and export your data. the only universal Access database viewer – supports MDB, ACCDB, MDE and ACCDE. no hidden costs, no in-app-purchases.
Chances are if you’ve developed an Access database application then you have a Windows PC anyway, so what’s the issue?
Well, what if you need to share your Access application with colleagues, and what if those colleagues are using a Mac or other non-Windows device? What if your boss wants to check something from his iPad at home?
The answer actually solves two problems. The best way to share an Access database application with Mac users is also one of the best ways of sharing an Access database application full stop. The solution is to use a hosted remote desktop service.
Access on a remote desktop
Microsoft have developed a Remote Desktop Client for Mac, iOS and Android, as well as Windows. This means that if you run your Access database from a Hosted Desktop it can be used by users of any device just as easily as those running Windows.
What is a hosted remote desktop service?
Remote Desktop Services, previously called Terminal Services is a technology that enables applications to be run on the remote desktop server instead of the user’s PC (or Mac). Lots of users can log on to the remote desktop server and run the same applications simultaneously. The system was designed mainly to help organisations with remote sites that needed to run applications where the data, documents or databases are at a central location. It’s a bit like having really long keyboard, mouse and monitor cables.
With the recent improvements in internet speed as well as other technologies such as server virtualisation it is now easy to host the Access database with a service provider rather than pay to build and maintain the technology yourself.
Benefits to a hosted remote desktop service
Beyond the ability to run Access on a Mac or iPad, hosting it gives you a number of other benefits:
- The remote desktop service is supported and maintained by the provider
- Your data is backed up
- You can run your Access database from anywhere in the world where there is an Internet Connection
- Users running Access on a Mac will get the same experience as users running it on their PC
- There are no code changes required as Access is, in reality, running on a Windows machine
- You can use the Access Runtime environment so no Access licence costs
- Flexibility to increase or decrease user numbers
- Scalability to increase user numbers to the maximum supported by Access
Contact us to get your Access database hosted in the cloud
You can see that running your Access database on an iPad or Mac or easy and effective using hosted remote desktop services. To find out more about how to get your Access database in the cloud to run on a Mac contact one of Your Office Anywhere’s technical sales consultants who can discuss your individual requirements and provide you with a demonstration. Call today on 01282 500318 or complete the form at our contact page.
Contact us here for a fast response
Call Us
Office
Your Office Anywhere, 4 Dominion Court, Billington Road, Burnley, BB11 5UB
Hours (Sales)
File Maker Pro
FileMaker is probably the best known database application for the Mac. It has a feature set comparable to Microsoft Access, but with a strong focus on forms (layouts) as the primary way of accessing databases. Similar to Access, FileMaker stores your database logic and all the data in a single file. It also has some support for scripting, and offers options for publishing databases on the web.
However, it's also necessary to note that FileMaker is very different from Access. There is a strict distinction between application logic and the underlying tables in Access. In FileMaker, logic and data are more closely linked. The underlying tables are more or less hidden from the user, and not as easily accessible via SQL as in Access.
Bento
Bento was the entry level database application from the makers of Filemaker. Unfortunately it has been discontinued in July 2013 and is no longer available for purchase.
Open Office / Libre Office
Open Office and Libre office include a database application that tries to mimic Microsoft Access. It is difficult to use and misses many important features, such as simple import/export tools.
![Personal database for mac Personal database for mac](/uploads/1/1/1/7/111709621/167610544.jpg)
SQLite (using Base)
SQLite is not a full database application like Access. There are no forms or reports in SQLite, there's only your data and a simple, fast SQL engine. SQLite is used by many applications under the hood as an internal format and therefore most interesting to application developers.
A command line utility for SQLite 3 is included with every Mac, aptly named sqlite3. Most people will however prefer working with a graphical application like the excellent Base from Menial (available on the Mac App Store). Base offers a simple interface for viewing tables (with support for images) and creating custom SQL queries.
Apple Numbers and Microsoft Excel
Numbers and Excel are spreadsheet applications and thus not a replacement for Microsoft Access. However, they have good support for working with tables. If your database consists of only few tables and no forms, these apps might just do the trick. You can at least sort and filter your tables.
Converting Access Databases to Apple Numbers with MDB Viewer
Converting Access Databases to Microsoft Excel with MDB Viewer
Converting Access Databases to Microsoft Excel with MDB Viewer
Microsoft Access in Parallels / VMWare
Database Microsoft Access For Mac
If none of the above are suitable, you can always ressort to actually running Microsoft Access on your Mac using virtualisation software like Parallels Desktop or VMWare Fusion.