Microsoft Access Runtime 2016

Question

Hello,

I installed the free Microsoft Access Runtime 2016 and I tried to open *.mdb and *.accdb files. But it did not work. After I opened the file I saw an empty white board without the upper menu.

Could you support me in this topic?

Thank you for your answer in advance.

Sincerely,

Balázs Szente

Answer 1

Hi,

Based on your description, I will this thread to Access forum:

https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/home?forum=accessdev

The reason why we recommend posting appropriately is you will get the most qualified pool of respondents, and other partners who read the forums regularly can either share their knowledge or learn from your interaction with us. Thank you for your understanding.

Regards,

Emi

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Answer 2

Hum, I wish I had better news for you.

The free access runtime is similar to say a word viewer, or say a PDF viewer.

However there is “ONE BIG” catch.

The access database has to have been designed with some features by the original creator (person) to “allow” you to use the runtime.

These “special things” that the original maker of the database are not a big deal, but it requires that the user setup a start-up form, and provided you with some buttons or what we call a “user interface”.

If the file is JUST a data file (without some forms and reports and some kind of “user interface” built by the original maker of the database, then you will “see” and “get” exactly what you describe.

In other words, the runtime ONLY really works for access databases if the maker of that database provided you with some forms, reports etc. and ALSO made a “main form” that launches automatic on start up.

It looks like your database does NOT have some forms or some kind of “user” forms active or built for this purpose. As a result, the Access runtime is not going to help you. (Because the runtime ONLY allows you to launch a working application). If you just launch say an mdb or accDB file with some tables in it, the runtime will not help you.

Workarounds?

Well, if you know the builder of the database, then you can ask them to create a form that launches on start up. That form could then provide buttons to launch say some reports. So this “extra work” of proving some user forms etc. MUST be done for you to use the runtime.

The other possible is to simply launch Excel, and import the tables.

So the runtime does not “automatic” provide these forms, nor does it let you create such forms (you need the full edition to accomplish this goal).

The above likely not great news for you, but the runtime does not really let you open just any access database and “use” the tables. Some forms + a user interface has to be created before the runtime version of access will be of any use to you.

Regards,

Albert D. Kallal (Access MVP, 2003-2017)

Edmonton, Alberta Canada

Answer 3

Dear Albert D. Kallal,

Your answer was very helpful, thanks.

I understand what is a problem here.

Thank you for your support again! :)

Sincerely,

Balázs Szente