Access web app - Conversion to Azure Web App?

Question

Hi,

I have searched and searched but I have come across nothing that remotely answers my question, and I'm not exactly sure where to ask it (here of the 365 support forums?). Please move the thread if you think it needs doing.

Anyway....

I currently have an access web application, due to its connectivity limitations I am now looking to re-create it as an Azure web app.

However, my visual basic skills (and coding in general) are not the best and would probably be best described as basic to intermediate. I'm good with access, which is why I was able to create the app in the first place.

Is there any way to convert an access web app to an azure web app or simply migrate it? I understand I would need to change the location of where the tables are etc... but from what I can see the main "forms" should be written in the same language?

The Access web all is currently live any being used by our company, but I do have downloaded backups of the .app file to work with.

Answer 1

Hi VinnyClegg,

As this question is more related to Access web app, I would move it to Access For Developers Forum, you will get more detailed information from there and more experts will help you.

Thanks for your understanding.

Best Regards

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Answer 2

Hi VinnyClegg,

>> I currently have an access web application, due to its connectivity limitations I am now looking to re-create it as an Azure web app.

What do you mean with Azure web app? Do you mean you want to create Access web app, and publish it to Azure? If so, I think it is impossible. We could develop Access web app with SharePoint. If you mean a simple web application like asp.net, I think you could publish your own asp.net web application to Azure, but it is not related with Access web app.

Best Regards,

Edward

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Answer 3

I have an access web app

I want to create something that works in exactly the same way (like a database), but hosted on azure.

I do not want to simply publish my current one to azure, as I know this is not possible. The new app will have nothing to do with SharePoint and will use a new database to store the data.

I was wandering if there is anyway of using the Access web app backup currently have, to help me create one that will be able to work on azure in the same way. Are azure apps able to have the same functionality? (ie like a web database?)

Answer 4

No, that is currently not possible. It's certainly on the wish list of many Access Web App (AWA) developers, but AWAs depend on SharePoint (SP) infrastructure (available on Office 365 or with SP on-prem) which is not available on Azure. It would have to be a total rewrite.

You're not the first developer starting something with limited skills, and by doing it and using the community to bounce ideas off of, climb the curve from beginner to someone who can actually program in this environment and get important business needs accomplished. Keep at it!

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-Tom. Microsoft Access MVP

Answer 5

so, even though I can not use the old app to create it, is it possible to create something that works in the same way?

Answer 6

I think some terms are being miss understood.

If you using Access 2010, then the web parts and UI gets published to office 365 (SharePoint). This includes the tables.

If you are using Access 2013 web, then the web pages and parts continue to be published to office 365 but the DATA part NOW goes to SQL Azure. And perhaps that all you want.

So “restricting” your question to Azure results in a no answer, but if you allow and don’t care about the web part, the data part is in fact published to SQL Azure.

Given the cost(s) are so low, it really does not matter in any significant way that parts get published to office 365 (which would cheaper  than Azure anyway), and some parts of Access 2013 get published to SQL Azure.

So to answer your general question, can you create a web application in Access that runs like before? (yes).

Can and will the data in this Access web application reside on Azure running SQL? (yes).

Does all of the application get published to Azure only? (no).

So you may not care that some parts are running on Azure, and some are not.

And if you have an existing 2010 web application – there is no “automated” means to convert the application to 2013 – you have to re-write as 2013. You can however of course migrate your data, but the application will have to be written to Access web 2013 standards,

Regards,

Albert D. Kallal (Access MVP)

Edmonton, Alberta Canada

Answer 7

so, even though I can not use the old app to create it, is it possible to create something that works in the same way?

Hi VinnyClegg,

>> even though I can not use the old app to create it, is it possible to create something that works in the same way?

Do you mean you want to publish your old access web app to Azure? If so, it is impossible. You could only use Access web app in SharePoint.

Best Regards,

Edward

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