Table of contents
Microsoft Access is a relational database management system (DBMS) from Microsoft that can be used to develop individual databases. The software can be purchased separately or in conjunction with Microsoft Office Professional. The software contains a development environment that can be used to create databases based on the Microsoft Jet Engine, including a graphical user interface. Access databases are saved in mdb file format and can optionally be migrated to an SQL server. Microsoft Access can access third-party systems via an ODBC interface; Access databases can also be accessed via ODBC. The database software can only be run under Microsoft Windows. According to Microsoft, the current version Microsoft Access 2016 is no longer being developed and will no longer be supported in the medium term.
Switching from Microsoft Access to FileMaker
Switching from Microsoft Access to FileMaker offers a number of advantages. Databases created with FileMaker Pro can be run not only under Windows, but also platform-independently under macOS and iOS as well as in the web browser on other operating systems such as Android or Linux. In addition, FileMaker Pro offers a significantly higher range of functions and further interfaces to third-party systems such as RESTful API and JSON for web-based databases. The announcement that support for Microsoft Access will be discontinued in future is another reason for Microsoft Access users to consider alternative products.
Conversion of Access databases to FileMaker
When switching from Access to FileMaker with an existing database solution, the best results are achieved if the solution is redesigned and developed on the basis of the FileMaker platform. For a quick changeover, however, solutions are available on the market to convert Access-based databases into FileMaker databases or to access data from Access databases on the Mac.
FMPro Migrator
With FMPro Migrator can be used to convert databases from Microsoft Access, FoxPro, Firebird and SQL Server into FileMaker databases. A module for converting Access databases into FileMaker databases is available at prices starting at 250 US dollars. We have already published an article on an older version of this product in the Conversion from Access to FileMaker published.
Open Access databases on the Mac
With the Mac software MDB Viewer can also be used to open databases from Microsoft Access on the Mac. The software costs 17 US dollars and is also available in the Mac App Store. With the MDB Viewer, Access databases can be opened on the Mac and data can be exported from the database, e.g. in Excel format. The Excel tables created in this way can be easily imported into a FileMaker database.
