Sharing DB with non-Access users

[Michael]

Hello. I'm creating a simple DB (tables and forms) in Access 2003 and
wondering what my options are for sharing this DB with fellow group members
who don't have Access. Is there a free utility they can download so that I
can send them the completed DB and they will be able to enter in data in the
form?

Thanks.

 

[Allen Browne]

Best option would be to upgrade to Access 2007, and use the free runtime:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...D9-9DC6-4B38-9FA6-2C745A175AED&displaylang=en

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...58-ECE4-4BEE-A844-F81856DCEB67&displaylang=en

 

[Brendan Reynolds]

Hello. I'm creating a simple DB (tables and forms) in Access 2003 and
wondering what my options are for sharing this DB with fellow group
members
who don't have Access. Is there a free utility they can download so that I
can send them the completed DB and they will be able to enter in data in
the
form?

Thanks.

The Access 2007 runtime is available as a free download from Microsoft. An
MDB created in Access 2003 should work OK with the Access 2007 runtime. (You
might want to avoid using custom menus and toolbars and use command buttons
on forms instead).

Here's a link to the download page ...

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...d9-9dc6-4b38-9fa6-2c745a175aed&DisplayLang=en

 

[Michael]

This is a minor group project and I don't wish to spend any $ on upgrades.

 

[Allen Browne]

Your call, Michael.

If you value your time, the cost of an upgrade divided by the number of
members in your group, ...

 

[Rick Brandt]

Your call, Michael.

If you value your time, the cost of an upgrade divided by the number of
members in your group, ...

But he doesn't need to upgrade for his users to install the 2007
runtime. They can use the 2007 runtime to run his 2003 file.

 

[Allen Browne]

Yes, that's what I meant, Rick.

If it costs him $400 to upgrade, and you divide that by 10 users, it cost
him $40 per seat to create the software.

That's got to be much less than the cost of re-creating and releasing the
app in any other package.

 

[David W. Fenton]

Best option would be to upgrade to Access 2007, and use the free
runtime

Upgrade? Hmm. I'm doing fine with an MDB developed in A2K3 that is
deployed with the A2K7 runtime. Sure, it's a simple database, but I
don't see any reason that you *must* upgrade.

 

[David W. Fenton]

If it costs him $400 to upgrade, and you divide that by 10 users,
it cost him $40 per seat to create the software.

That's got to be much less than the cost of re-creating and
releasing the app in any other package.

But if the A2K3 MDB runs fine in A2K7, then why spend that money?

 

[Allen Browne]

I'm not sure how you go about creating the A2007 without having A2007 to
work from yourself.

 

[David W. Fenton]

I'm not sure how you go about creating the A2007 without having
A2007 to work from yourself.

The point is that you don't *need* to. Right?

 

[Michael]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Giving the user the Access 2007 Runtime
was all she needed to run my Access 2003 database. Many thanks.

Michael