What's the difference between Access 2K7 and 2K3

[Guest]

I have just been given the task of creating a new D base for a company. The
company runs “everything†from their main D base at the moment and they want
to increase automation of the administration to cut time used, costs, etc.
The D Base will be FE/BE on a server based system with around 30 users. The
hardware is already in place.

I have looked at the 2007 download (from MS) and there are quite a few
obvious changes. But if anyone is already using Access 2K7 to write on I
would appreciate any insights.

Is it really “better†than 2K3 as apposed to just another upgrade for the
sake of it.
What are the main updates ?
Etc.

Basically should I stick to 2K3 or advise the Co to invest in the new Access
2K7 and I need to tell them what can the user do with 2K7 that they couldn’t
with 2K3

Many thanks

 

[Allen Browne]

Hi Wayne.

Access 2007 is a major release, unlike the last couple where 2002 and 2003
where only slightly different from 2000.

There are some very nice interface features in A2007 that make it easy for
you to give features to your *users*. For example, all these are built-in
(no code needed):
- Select dates from popup calendar.
- Rich text.
- Append-only memo fields.
- Right-click a combo to edit the items in the list.
- Right-click for filter options (e.g. "This week", "This month".)
- Split form view (datasheet + form view.)
- Show totals at the bottom of columns in datasheets.

There are also several features to help you as a *developer*, e.g.:
- Ability to create a template database that defines your default new
database (references, libraries, tables, ribbon, startup form, template
report, logging tables, and whatever you always want in a new database.)
- Template fields.
- Enhanced style and color choices (both system colors, and hex.)
- See the arguments in a macro.
- Error handling in macros.
- Integration with Sharepoint and Exchange Server.

There are some things that are very different, and will take a while to
*adjust* to:
- Using the ribbon instead of menus and toolbars.
- Nav Pane (single column view only, partially offset by a Search box, and
it doesn't remember where you were on each "tab" like the database window
did.)
- Finding options through the Microsoft Object Button.
- Fields may be complex data types (so you can't make assumptions when
working with someone else's database.)
- Layouts where the controls are all linked together, so they
move/resize/re-space in unison.
- Layout view for forms and reports.
- Report view which is searchable and clickable, but lacks pages and the
events don't fire.

There will be some new *setup* issues, such as:
- Need to disable design changes in datasheet view.
- Need to explicitly enable VBA code.
- Need to learn how to program the ribbon.
- Need to ensure all users have Access 2007 if you use the features of the
new file format (accdb.)

There are some issues from previous versions that are *fixed*, e.g.
- The annoying autofill of values in datasheets is gone.
- Automatic default value of zero for numeric fields is gone.
- Problems when importing from Excel (data types) addressed.
- Most of these filter bugs are fixed:
http://allenbrowne.com/bug-02.html

There are some things that are *unknown* yet:
- There will be many new bugs in a release that has this many new aspects.
- As with any beta, help is incomplete, so we don't know yet if it will be
better (e.g. ablity to point users to specific articles) or worse (e.g.
"Applies To" and "See Also" are currently missing, and context-sensitive
help is inadequate.)

Hopefully that's enough to give you the ability to choose what will be best
for you. For anyone who wants screenshots and details, see:
http://blogs.msdn.com/access/

 

[Guest]

Hi Allen

I was looking at try to “redo†the client’s existing D Base but (to put it
politely) there have been quite a few people in the company “adding†their
own touches to it over the years and to say it is in a mess would be an
understatement. – Have you ever seen over 20 Total queries trying to feed a
report ?? etc, etc. (the strange thing is that it acctually works ??)

I have read through your reply a few times and also read through the MS
“stuff†and I think I will probably go down the route of creating the new DB
in 2K7 as this will allow the users much more flexibility in the use (report
creation etc). I do like the Sharepoint options that are included and I
think the client will appreciate these, although they may take a little
persuasion. ;-)


Many thanks for your insights and help.

--
Wayne
Manchester, England.

Hi Wayne.

Access 2007 is a major release, unlike the last couple where 2002 and 2003
where only slightly different from 2000.

There are some very nice interface features in A2007 that make it easy for
you to give features to your *users*. For example, all these are built-in
(no code needed):
- Select dates from popup calendar.
- Rich text.
- Append-only memo fields.
- Right-click a combo to edit the items in the list.
- Right-click for filter options (e.g. "This week", "This month".)
- Split form view (datasheet + form view.)
- Show totals at the bottom of columns in datasheets.

There are also several features to help you as a *developer*, e.g.:
- Ability to create a template database that defines your default new
database (references, libraries, tables, ribbon, startup form, template
report, logging tables, and whatever you always want in a new database.)
- Template fields.
- Enhanced style and color choices (both system colors, and hex.)
- See the arguments in a macro.
- Error handling in macros.
- Integration with Sharepoint and Exchange Server.

There are some things that are very different, and will take a while to
*adjust* to:
- Using the ribbon instead of menus and toolbars.
- Nav Pane (single column view only, partially offset by a Search box, and
it doesn't remember where you were on each "tab" like the database window
did.)
- Finding options through the Microsoft Object Button.
- Fields may be complex data types (so you can't make assumptions when
working with someone else's database.)
- Layouts where the controls are all linked together, so they
move/resize/re-space in unison.
- Layout view for forms and reports.
- Report view which is searchable and clickable, but lacks pages and the
events don't fire.

There will be some new *setup* issues, such as:
- Need to disable design changes in datasheet view.
- Need to explicitly enable VBA code.
- Need to learn how to program the ribbon.
- Need to ensure all users have Access 2007 if you use the features of the
new file format (accdb.)

There are some issues from previous versions that are *fixed*, e.g.
- The annoying autofill of values in datasheets is gone.
- Automatic default value of zero for numeric fields is gone.
- Problems when importing from Excel (data types) addressed.
- Most of these filter bugs are fixed:
http://allenbrowne.com/bug-02.html

There are some things that are *unknown* yet:
- There will be many new bugs in a release that has this many new aspects.
- As with any beta, help is incomplete, so we don't know yet if it will be
better (e.g. ablity to point users to specific articles) or worse (e.g.
"Applies To" and "See Also" are currently missing, and context-sensitive
help is inadequate.)

Hopefully that's enough to give you the ability to choose what will be best
for you. For anyone who wants screenshots and details, see:
http://blogs.msdn.com/access/

 

[dbahooker]

Allen

2002 / 2003 is a MAJOR update from 2000- unless you're stupid enough to
still be using MDB.

grow some balls Allen.

 

[dbahooker]

Wayne

you should be using Access Data Projects.

that is the upgrade you should care about.

Access 2007 isn't going to be released until what.. june of next year??

AND ITS GOING TO BE SLOWER!!!

-Aaron

Hi Allen

I was looking at try to "redo" the client's existing D Base but (to put it
politely) there have been quite a few people in the company "adding" their
own touches to it over the years and to say it is in a mess would be an
understatement. - Have you ever seen over 20 Total queries trying to feed a
report ?? etc, etc. (the strange thing is that it acctually works ??)

I have read through your reply a few times and also read through the MS
"stuff" and I think I will probably go down the route of creating the new DB
in 2K7 as this will allow the users much more flexibility in the use (report
creation etc). I do like the Sharepoint options that are included and I
think the client will appreciate these, although they may take a little
persuasion. ;-)


Many thanks for your insights and help.

 

[Tony Toews]

I have read through your reply a few times and also read through the MS
“stuff” and I think I will probably go down the route of creating the new DB
in 2K7 as this will allow the users much more flexibility in the use (report
creation etc). I do like the Sharepoint options that are included and I
think the client will appreciate these, although they may take a little
persuasion. ;-)

Trouble is A2007 is still in beta. I'd wait a until it's officially
out before using it. That said there's no reason why you can't start
the redevelopment in whatever version of Access you want to use.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm

 

[Tony Toews]

I have just been given the task of creating a new D base for a company. The
company runs “everything” from their main D base at the moment and they want
to increase automation of the administration to cut time used, costs, etc.
The D Base will be FE/BE on a server based system with around 30 users. The
hardware is already in place.

Note that there is a runtime available for purchase which will allow
you to install the app on the client systems without having to pay for
a retail license for Access. While they can run Access apps the
users can't create queries, forms or reports.

Thus those power users who will be working with the data should get
the retail version of Access.

Microsoft Access (Office) Developer Edition FAQ
http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/developereditionfaq.htm

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm

 

[dbahooker]

or:

a) use Access Data Projects like anyone with BALLS would do.
b) install SQL Server 2005 Express edition to use as a GUI for managing
SQL 2000 / MSDE.

-Aaron