Without Access installed

D

Dean

I would like to be able to create Access databases and have users enter data
into them. (I know it's a stupid statement as that's what Access is for)
however I don't want to have MS Access on all the machines.
Is it possible with any available software (I would have Access on my
machine) for users on other machines on the network, to be able to enter data
into the forms I design.

Thanks
Dean
 
D

Douglas J. Steele

Your best bet is to look into the Access run-time. It's actually the same
msaccess.exe executable that you've already got, but through setting
literally hundreds of registry keys, it's limited so that the users can't
make design changes to the database. Once you purchase the appropriate
package that gives you the license to this run-time, you can distribute it
free to as many users as you like. (for Access 2007, the run-time will be
free once it's released)

Check what Tony Toews has at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/developereditionfaq.htm for more details.
 
R

Rick Brandt

Dean said:
I would like to be able to create Access databases and have users
enter data into them. (I know it's a stupid statement as that's what
Access is for) however I don't want to have MS Access on all the
machines.
Is it possible with any available software (I would have Access on my
machine) for users on other machines on the network, to be able to
enter data into the forms I design.

Thanks
Dean
Click to expand...

You would have to acquire the developers tools for your version of Access
(mostly only 2003 is available right now). That gives you tools and license
to distribute a runtime of Access to your users. This cost your users
nothing, but YOU do have to pay for the developer's tools although the ones
for Access 2007 (not available yet) is supposed to be free of charge.

For the older versions that you have to pay for it only makes sense
financially if you have at least several people you will be distributing to.
Less that that and you are better off just buying Access for them.

This is particulalry true if you factor in your extra work and time. An
Access app needs considerably more polish and must be a much more "complete"
aplication to be compatible with the runtime. You can see how your app runs
by creating a shortcut that opens Access and your file with the /runtime
command line argument. That will operate identically to what a user with
the runtime would see.

The most notable thing is that the db Window and none of the built in
menubars or toolbars are available in the runtime. You have to build custom
replacements for all of them that your app requires.
 
D

Dean

Thank you.

Douglas J. Steele said:
Your best bet is to look into the Access run-time. It's actually the same
msaccess.exe executable that you've already got, but through setting
literally hundreds of registry keys, it's limited so that the users can't
make design changes to the database. Once you purchase the appropriate
package that gives you the license to this run-time, you can distribute it
free to as many users as you like. (for Access 2007, the run-time will be
free once it's released)

Check what Tony Toews has at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/developereditionfaq.htm for more details.
Click to expand...
 
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