Failure to create first Access 2013 Web App

Question

When you start Access 2013 and opt to create a Web App it prompts you for the app name and a Web Location. There are no browse or selection tools and the dialog gives no indication what form of Web Location URL it is expecting. There is no relevant help and web demos and white papers just assume http://localhost.

I have a test Sharepoint 2010 site at http://planchestserver:44186/PlanchestSP which works fine in the browser but if I use this URL for the Web Location, Access replies

An error occurred while attempting to connect to the server.....

.....Check the spelling...If correct contact your system administrator or technical support.

Only one problem, I am the system administrator and this forum is my only technical support!

This error message doesn't indicate if the problem is the format if the URL, permissions or Sharepoint version.

Stephen Solt

Construction Industry Database Developer

Planchest Ltd

Warmington, PETERBOROUGH UK

Answer 1

Hi Stephen,

SP Server 2010 do not support new Access 2013 Web Apps. Only legacy (wow, it's been only a couple of years now and they are already legacy) Access 2010-style Web Databases. Quote:

Access apps are built for the web for easier sharing and collaboration. To create and use an Access app you’ll need Access and an Office 365 site or SharePoint Server 2013.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access-help/basic-tasks-for-an-access-app-HA102840210.aspx?CTT=5&origin=HA102749782

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Andrey V Artemyev | Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Russian blog artemyev.biztoolbox.ru

Answer 2

Well that shouldn't be a great surprise but I can see that if I migrate my Access ADP application to this environment I will be on my own with my clients still occupying a former era! Not going to happen...

I really think the new web app dialog should make this clear though.

Steve