Open an existing Access Database with Libre Database

[DJRhino1175]

Has anyone ever needed to open an access database in one of many open office platforms? My company is talking about moving away from Microsoft Office and going to Libre or even Open Office. I had our IT guy install them an a laptop so I could try it and had no success. It would open but queries, forms and reports were all gone. Not even sure VBA would work on these...

Thanks for your input on your experience.

[NeoPa]

Hi DJ.

I can't say for certain, but I would expect other software to be able to interpret the data at most from an MDB or ACCDB file. Not all third-party software will even do that of course. If you're lucky you may find one that may be able to interpret the SQL of queries - but even that is a specific dialect of SQL supported by Jet/ACE, which doesn't adhere too closely to the actual SQL standards. I've not heard of any non-Microsoft software that supports VBA. VBA is proprietary as far as I know & owned by Microsoft.

If your company is moving away from Microsoft Office then I wish them luck. In some quite rare circumstances that can be done with little or no pain. Opening documents is generally supported well enough. However, anything to do with automation or control (VBA or macros) was a non-starter last I looked & I don't expect that to change any time soon I'm afraid.

Sometimes these decisions are made by people who have determined the likely effects after knowing the sorts of documents that are in use at the company, but that's rare. Usually they're idiot bean counters who see the possibility of saving money - IE They understand the price of everything but the value of nothing and are frequently put in positions where they can make decisions way above their comprehension & competence.

I can't say that's the case where you work. I don't have the details. However, if your company relies on any Access databases that use macros or VBA then you have the option of a free runtime version to run existing projects, but not the software that allows you to update them. I wonder if someone believes that's a viable situation to be left in? I guess it depends on the value they see coming from these projects - which obviously depends on their understanding what value even means of course ;-)

[DJRhino1175]

Thanks Neopa. Didn't no about the runtime version. When you say updates you don't mean to tables or anything like that, right? I just would be able to do design work of any kind?

[isladogs]

PMFJI
Using Runtime allows users to enter or edit data. However, it does not allow users to change the design of forms/reports.

You can simulate runtime in either of these two ways:
1. Open your database using the /runtime switch. See Simulate Access Runtime
2. Temporarily change the file suffix from .accdb to .accdr

[NeoPa]

IslaDogs:
PMFJI
Using Runtime allows users to enter or edit data. However, it does not allow users to change the design of forms/reports.

Jump in any time. You explained it perfectly.

IslaDogs:
You can simulate runtime in either of these two ways:...

I suspect the point being made there is that you, as a developer with the software, can test out how well using the runtime version would work without making the change or uninstalling your software.

[isladogs]

Hi @NeoPa
You understood the purpose of my second paragraph perfectly. Thanks for clarifying

[DJRhino1175]

Thanks guys. I'm hoping they change their minds on this. From what I'm told its because of a licensing change that Microsoft is doing it will get to expensive for our company :(

Again thanks for the help and explanation.

[NeoPa]

Bear in mind that, as far as Access goes at least, you only really need the licence for the developer(s). Ordinary users can get away without one.

Best of luck :-)