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General discussion

How to make MS Access data base work on my mac

by srabrian May 22, 2009 4:42AM PDT

I have a 24" iMac dual core 2.16GHz 250GB HD 3GB RAM OS 10.5 and all the other bells and whistles. I have MS Access file that was created by my friends in the Air Force it is a practice test that grades as it goes along. My problem is that apparently unbeknownst to me MS doesn't make a version of access for mac! Well then I though hey maybe Neo Office would work; nope! Is there any way short of installing a boot camp or parallels desk top and running windows with access to be able to use this file?! The thing is in a month after i take my actual test I will never need this thing again! I have Office 2004 for Mac too. Please help!!!!!

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6 Posts
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There is a diff
by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 22, 2009 5:00AM PDT

Let's call it out for what this is?

1. MS Access DATABASE.
2. MS Access "Application" that someone wrote.

The database should have tools out there to gain access to. The Application will be a bag of hurt (blatant ripoff) and will require exactly all the emulations you were trying to avoid.

I will share I tried out Virtual Box and was pleasantly surprised.
Bob

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OK so I am confused (it happens a lot)
by srabrian May 22, 2009 5:57AM PDT

I get that MS Access is merely a program and that the data base itself is what I am after no different than a spread sheet is to MS Excel. However I have no earthly idea of how to do extract the data base and put it into some usable container i.e. neo office or open office data base program. I have tried to open it with both programs. I may well have the tools to do it but i lack the knowledge of how to make it happen. Any tip-specifically on how to make my dream a reality? BTW I got MySQL tools something or another from open office that is supposed to help but I have no clue what I am doing...I JUST WANT IT TO WORK! I love my mac but this is one time when i really wish I had a PC...

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In your post there is a clue...
by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 22, 2009 6:42AM PDT

That is an Access Application and not a database. Databases are just like you expect but what you wrote about appears to be an Application that someone crafted in Access.

The differences are usually hard at first to grasp but we'll get there.

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Sorry. I forgot this one thing.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 22, 2009 6:42AM PDT

-> We can't open that Application on anything but Access.

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Translation...
by srabrian May 22, 2009 1:58PM PDT

No Access no way to open the file/program? <sigh> i guess i'll have to find a windoze box to use it...

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My words...
by r. proffitt Forum moderator May 22, 2009 8:45PM PDT

Access can have databases and then you have forms, actions, check boxes, and reports. That's not a database but an application.

The database could be "data" and could be had. But reading the above this is not a database.
Bob

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