Is it possible to run a MS Access database without having Access .

[Christina]

My boss wants me to create a MS Access database but he wants our client to be
able to use the database without having Access installed. "Shall execute
requiring only the MS ACCESS run time software provided by the MS Office tool
suite". I have no clue what so ever how to do this. Any suggestions would
be a great help.

 

[Lynn Trapp]

You have to get a copy of the Access Developer's Version (Developer's
Extensions in A2003) to do this.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

Christina

In addition to Lynn's response, "yes" ... and "no"!

Behind the scenes, after you've gotten the Developer Edition and created an
application for distribution, what will have to be installed on each
client's PC is a crippled version of Access. The installation process
handles this, and the Developer Edition provides the legitimate licensing.

But it still takes up as much room (nearly) as the full-blown copy of
Access!

Does your boss wish the client not to have a way to alter the application,
or does your boss not wish to add the cost of Access? If the former, you
could create an .MDE file and distribute that to folks who had Access
installed. They would not be able to modify the application this way (and
you would not need to buy the Developer Edition).

 

[Lynn Trapp]

Does your boss wish the client not to have a way to alter the application,

or does your boss not wish to add the cost of Access?

Jeff,
In my experience, clients typically are looking for some combination of
those 2 things. When I first started working where I do now, we took the
full version of Access off of all computers except for a few key people. We
were trying to prevent to seemingly constant proliferation of new Access
databases all over the company (it seems that nearly everyone in the
company who originally had Office Pro installed on their computers opened
Access and created a DB1.mdb) and to reduce the cost of purchasing full
licenses. Obviously, the financial types wanted to reduce the cost and the
IS department wanted to get rid of so many databases.

However, it looks to me like we have encountered a problem with the
proliferation problem since I managed that project. When new employees came
on board or when anyone got a new computer, it seems they were given the
full version of Access again. So, the proliferation problem started up
again.

 

[Sam]

I need help on an issue similar to this. I have a replica of my database
that two people use to enter data. Now I need two other people to have
access to only two forms and reports. I have not been able to get there.
Can you please help me with this?

 

[Lynn Trapp]

Sam,
You can either provide those 2 people with a separate front-end with the 2
forms and reports that they need or, else, you can implement User Level
security and only give them permission to use the forms and reports that you
want them to. To follow the second approach is pretty difficult. You will
need to get a copy of the Security FAQ (there's a link on the Security page
of my website), read it several times, and follow it TO THE LETTER.

 

[Sam]

Thank you for replying. I'm not sure what you mean by "front-end". I prefer
the simplest method. I tried setting-up Groups and got into a real mess. I
will read the link on your web site.

 

[Sam]

Hey Lynn, I can't get to your web site. Whatsup? I entered
www.Itcomputerdesigns.com and it wasn't recognized.

 

[Lynn Trapp]

It's not Itcomputerdesigns, but Ltcomputerdesigns.

 

[Sam]

Thank you!

It's not Itcomputerdesigns, but Ltcomputerdesigns.

--
Lynn Trapp
MS Access MVP
www.ltcomputerdesigns.com
Access Security: www.ltcomputerdesigns.com/Security.htm