Since the MAC version of MS Office does not include MS Access (there is no MAC version of Access and never has been) , we often see questions similar to:
How can I run Microsoft Access on a MAC?”
How to Run Microsoft Access on Mac Software developers, data architects and power users whom use Macs have expressed a need to run Microsoft Access. Firstly, if you fall into this category, Parallels Desktop for Mac can assist you with developing application software without reformatting or rebooting your machine. Professional movie making software free. download full version.
How to easily, efficiently and with no re-coding run Microsoft Access on a MAC. The picture opposite was reproduced from Microsoft’s pricing page for Office 365. The point to highlight is the text below the Access icon saying: “PC Only”. Microsoft don’t do a version of Access for Mac or iPad or even Android. Running Microsoft Access on your Apple Mac, iPad or Android tablet is easy using a hosted remote desktop service from Your Office Anywhere. Watch this video. Yes, you can get Microsoft Office for Mac, so you can create Word and Excel files. BUT you can also get OpenOffice on your Mac, which is a totally free, and slightly less visually attractive office application, that lets you do all the same things as MS Office. You do not need to use this method if you don't have a product key. If you purchased Office 365 through Microsoft's website or you were given access to Office through your employer or organization, see Using a Microsoft Account on Windows or Using a Microsoft Account on a Mac instead.
in various forums. While it is true that you can’t get Access (and other programs) for MAC, there are still ways to run them on your MAC. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.
Possible Ways to Run MS Access on a MAC
Here are a couple solutions that I am aware of:
Virtualization Software
You can install any number of virtualization software programs, such as Parallels or VMWare Fusion or Oracle VirtualBox, to create a virtual machine in which you install Windows and then MS Office/Access and or any other Windows program(s) of your choosing. This does requires buying Parallels, and owing licenses for Windows and any other program you wish to install.
Once it is setup you can run launch your Windows Virtual Machine directly from within your MAC OS.
Bootcamp
Use Apple’s free Bootcamp software which will create a separate Windows formatted partition on the hard drive to install Windows and the appropriate drivers. It will run Windows as fast or faster than a PC of equivalent specification. The only downside (aside from the cost) is that you cannot run the Mac OS and the Windows OS simultaneously. Users who wanted to use Access would have to shut down the Mac OS and reboot into Windows.
Can Ms Access Run On Mac
So basically you split/partition your MAC hard drive to create a spot to install Windows. So your computer end up having both OSs installed and you pick which one to run at startup.
![Run Ms Access On Mac Run Ms Access On Mac](https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/cps_top-650x300.png)
Remote Access Software
Another interesting option is to use remote access software, programs such as:
- Microsoft’s Remote Desktop
- TeamViewer
- etc…
to connect to a another computer. The remote access software simply transmits the image of the other computer’s screen image directly back to your local PC. So, you are in fact working directly on the other computer.
So, if you already have access to a Windows PC or server, you can use remote access software to connect to it and run your database.
Ms Access Run Macro On Startup
CrossOver
I recently came across a program called CrossOver which states:
Run Microsoft Windows software on your Mac without buying a Windows license, rebooting or using a virtual machine
I don’t know anything more about this product, but it sounds very interesting and may be worth further investigation. Furthermore, they offer a trial version so you can take it for a test drive.
Microsoft Query
If you simply need to access the data, but not interact with it (Add/Edit/Delete) and you have a copy of MS Office for MAC then you can use Microsoft Query to access the data via ODBC.
UPDATED JUNE 2017: Prices updated and a 6th app added…
Yes you read that correctly! Up until recently, there was no way to open a Microsoft Access database directly on a Mac. However, there are, at the time of writing, five apps, all available from the Mac App Store, which allow you to open and view data in Access database tables. Below is a summary of the apps.
MDB Tool
- Opens MDB and ACCDB files (2007 only, not 2010/2013)
- Only provides access to tables. Does not support queries, forms or reports
- Exports to CSV and SQL formats
- Available for £5.99 from https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/mdb-tool-for-microsoft-access/id513995545?mt=12
MDB Explorer
- Opens tables from multiple databases at same time
- Exports to various formats including CSV, TXT, Excel and SQL
- Filter, sort and search functionality allows you to easily find the information you need
- Supports MDB but ACCDB support is available via in-app purchase £9.99
- Available for £9.99 from https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/mdb-explorer/id506622388?mt=12
Run Microsoft Access On Mac
MDB ACCDB Viewer
- Opens MDB and ACCDB files
- Search functionality
- If you double click a record it opens in a separate window – great for reading long text entries
- Exports to various formats including Excel, CSV, SQL
- Documentation includes instructions for transferring to Bento, Numbers, Open Office
- Available for £18.99 from https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/mdb-accdb-viewer/id417392270?mt=12
MDBLite
- Converts MDB to SQLite
- SQLite is a small database engine found in many gadgets and small websites
- Just drag and drop the MDB file onto the app’s window
- Supports MDB format only
- Available for £3.99 from https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/mdblite/id487704620?mt=12
ACCDB Explorer
- From the same company that makes MDB Explorer
- Similar functionality to MDB Explorer but supports ACCDB as well as MDB
- Reads attachments from 2007 format databases
- Reads calculated fields from Access 2010 format databases
- £19.99 from https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/accdb-explorer/id577722815?mt=12
Viewer for Access Database
- I have added this one following an email I received from the developer (Disclaimer: I am NOT making any money from this!)
- At this time the app supports to open, view and export accdb and mdb files.
- The developer will improve the app on user request in the next weeks/li>
- £2.99 from https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/access-database-viewer/id1241742780?mt=12
Editor for Access Database
The only Mac App which allow you edit MS Access Database on Mac directly. View, Edit and Create Microsoft Access database on your Mac with the App. You can view data easily with Filter, Sort, Paging, and export data or schema to other databases, also edit data directly with very customizable data control, create new databases and create new tables.