How to open Access files

[Guest]

How do I open Access files if I don't have Access on my computer? What
program do I use to open them? I am taking an online computer class and have
4 assignments and I can't open the files. I downloaded a snapshot viewer?
but it won't work. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

Lisa

 

[J_Goddard via AccessMonster.com]

Hi -

If the Access files are .mdb files, and you don't have MS Access, you can't
open them, at least not in a way that would mean much. I don't know of any
other program that will open an MS Access database, except perhaps another
DBMS.

Sorry I cannot be more encouraging. Maybe one of our newsgroup gurus know of
a solution?

John

 

[John W. Vinson]

How do I open Access files if I don't have Access on my computer?

You don't.

You need SOME version of Access - either the full retail version, or a
"runtime" version which can be generated by someone who's purchased the
appropriate Developer's Edition of Access to create it.

The runtime version of Access2007 is free (earlier versions could be quite
pricey).

See http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/developereditionversions.htm for a
thorough discussion.

John W. Vinson [MVP]

 

[drrajnishpatel via AccessMonster.com]

Dear Friends,

i am a novoice for access but i am a very keen explorer for details.. i was
in the same situation, but i found the access 2003 runtime for my self,,,,
FREE on the following link....just waiting to be downloaded,just go and getit.
..
"http://www.mac-net.com/741485.page"

 

[drrajnishpatel via AccessMonster.com]

Dear Friends,

i am a novoice for access but i am a very keen explorer for details.. i was
in the same situation, but i found the access 2003 runtime for my self,,,,
FREE on the following link....just waiting to be downloaded,just go and getit.
..
"http://www.mac-net.com/741485.page"

 

[Arvin Meyer [MVP]]

There is no legal method other than those outlined by John Vinson. You can,
however view data from MDB tables in Microsoft Excel and even using the
merge features in Microsoft Word. There are also a number of other databases
that can read the Access data format. You cannot, however, view the forms
and reports without a copy of Access.

One other possibility. You can download a legal copy of Office Professional
2007. It is time limited and my experience is that you should definitely
uninstall before the time is up even if you intend to buy it. Not doing so
10 years ago left my machine in terrible shape and I couldn't properly
install who formatting my hard drive and starting over. Anyway, here's the
legal link at Microsoft. Watch out for newsgroup word wrapping:

http://www.microsoft.com/products/i...ge&catid=9d273393-92c9-4807-be9c-515a0d152415

 

[Guest]

Google has an Office suite available for Free. It's called "StarOffice" IIRC.
It has the equivalent of all MS Office programs. It WILL read mdb files. I
tried it myself.

 

[George Nicholson]

Perhaps worth noting that depending on what the assignments are, Runtime
will not get you where you want to go.

Runtime is intended solely to run a fully developed Access application.
Therefore, Runtime behaves differently than the retail version due to
self-imposed limitations. Examples:
-If the files you are expected to open have not been setup to be used by
Runtime then you may be able to open them, but nothing will happen (a
startup form or AutoExec macro is required).
-Runtime, by design, will not display built-in menus. It will only
display the menus & toolbars that the developer has provided.
- Database window is not available
- Cannot create Tables, Forms, Reports, etc. Design views not available.
Design changes not possible.
- Code cannot be viewed or edited

In other words, opening "work" files with Runtime might get you nothing but
an empty window.

HTH,

 

[George Nicholson]

Note that whoever posted the Runtime on that link is in 100% violation of
Microsoft's EULA.

(Prior to Access 2007) Purchasers of the Developers Edition/Developers
extensions have a royalty-free license to distribute Runtime WITH an
application they have created, not by itself. And there isn't even a
lip-service attempt at including an app in that file.

Technically, anyone who downloads from that link will be using an illegal
copy of Access, since it was not obtained from a legimate source.

HTH,

 

[John Nurick]

Hi Dennis,

Do you mean read in the sense of being able to see the data in the
tables, or in the sense of being able to run queries, open forms,
etc.?

 

[drrajnishpatel via AccessMonster.com]

Respected Experts,

I would like to express my regret for my immature act, but the site i have
mentioned is a very official looking site so i could not make out that this
also could be violation, the site is for MAC users who do not have Access
installed on the machine, but being novoice i could not percieve the
difference and so only i have mentioned... i thought i will coontribute
someway or the other to the forum by my little knowledge

Note that whoever posted the Runtime on that link is in 100% violation of
Microsoft's EULA.

(Prior to Access 2007) Purchasers of the Developers Edition/Developers
extensions have a royalty-free license to distribute Runtime WITH an
application they have created, not by itself. And there isn't even a
lip-service attempt at including an app in that file.

Technically, anyone who downloads from that link will be using an illegal
copy of Access, since it was not obtained from a legimate source.

HTH,

Dear Friends,

[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]

 

[George Nicholson]

You did nothing wrong, and I tried to be careful in how my response was
phrased to make sure that was clear. My apologies if that was not the case.

In the past other posters have said " hey, you can download the (pre 2007)
Runtime from this link..." and those links appeared to be technically legal
by including at least a simple "Hello, World" app with the Runtime files.
The link you included didn't even bother doing that. That isn't your fault

Respected Experts,

I would like to express my regret for my immature act, but the site i have
mentioned is a very official looking site so i could not make out that
this
also could be violation, the site is for MAC users who do not have Access
installed on the machine, but being novoice i could not percieve the
difference and so only i have mentioned... i thought i will coontribute
someway or the other to the forum by my little knowledge

Note that whoever posted the Runtime on that link is in 100% violation of
Microsoft's EULA.

(Prior to Access 2007) Purchasers of the Developers Edition/Developers
extensions have a royalty-free license to distribute Runtime WITH an
application they have created, not by itself. And there isn't even a
lip-service attempt at including an app in that file.

Technically, anyone who downloads from that link will be using an illegal
copy of Access, since it was not obtained from a legimate source.

HTH,

Dear Friends,

[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]

John W. Vinson [MVP]