Mac's ability to use Access database

Question

Level 1

4 points

Mac's ability to use Access database

I am considering buying an apple mac after many years using a PC. I currently use Access database and will need to continue to review access databases and support colleagues in offices where PC is the norm. Am I on a Mac able to view and use Microsoft Access. On the Mac site I can only find reference to Word, Exell and Powerpoint being compatible. Thanks for any help offered.

Not yet bought but condsidering

Posted on Mar 8, 2009 5:24 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Peggy

Level 8

41,601 points

Mar 8, 2009 9:54 AM in response to Sea eagle

Welcome to Apple Discussions

Microsoft does not make a Mac version of Access. You could use Boot Camp to create a Windows partition & install Windows & a PC version of Office. This would require restarting in Windows whenever you want to use Windows. Or use Parallels or VMWare Fusion to create a virtual PC & again install Windows & PC Office. I prefer using Crossover Mac which does not involve installing Windows. I have Office 2007 installed in Crossover to run Publisher when someone sends me a Publisher file. Unlike Boot Camp, Parallels or VMWare Fusion, Crossover doesn't support all Windows programs, but it definitely supports Office.

Reply

Answer 2

Sea eagle Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 9, 2009 6:26 AM in response to Peggy

Thanks Peggy, and will now look into what lapptop to buy. Crossover looks the way to go from what you tell me. I looked at the website and note that there is the choice of standard or professional. Would you advise that its necessary to buy the Professional with the capacity to update annually or will the one off standard purchase provide what one needs?

Reply

Answer 3

Peggy

Level 8

41,601 points

Mar 9, 2009 8:18 AM in response to Sea eagle

I just have the standard version, but I don't use it very often. I'd start with the standard version & then you can always upgrade later.

Reply

Answer 4

a brody

Level 10

82,925 points

Mar 16, 2009 7:07 AM in response to Sea eagle

You can ask your friends to convert the database to Filemaker using:

http://www.fmpromigrator.com/

Or if the Access databases are linked by server ODBC, Actual Technologies has an ODBC plugin for Filemaker that makes it easier to share Access databases:

http://www.actualtechnologies.com/

Filemaker is crossplatform between PC and Mac:

http://www.filemaker.com/

Message was edited by: a brody

Reply

Answer 5

chipperz

Level 2

210 points

Mar 18, 2009 8:54 AM in response to Sea eagle

Crossover is a great program, and, like Peggy said, it supports MS Office so you can use your Access program. I have used it since it first came out and I find it supports many programs other than MS programs. I have been able to use the Family Tree Maker program from Broderbund as well as Address Book 6.0 from Parsons Technology. The Pro version adds a little more strength to the program and supports more software than the standard, but I think you'll find the standard to work just fine.

Reply

Answer 6

Apr 4, 2009 9:57 AM in response to a brody

The Actual Technologies ODBC driver for Access lets you import data from an Access database file (.mdb or .accdb) into an Excel spreadsheet or a FileMaker database. You don't have to have a PC or Windows or MS Access installed on your Mac in order to use it.

Jonathan
Actual Technologies

Reply