Creating standalone app with Microsoft Access

Asked 12 years, 1 month ago Modified 4 years, 8 months ago Viewed 96k times

Once I saw a DB made in MS Access that worked as a normal program, i.e with an executable
file that opened a beautiful UI and allowed access to the forms and reports. I've trying to do
7 the same, I even googled but didn't find how do it. Anyone knows how to build such
standalone App with Access?

ms-access

Share Follow edited May 3, 2014 at 17:30 asked Dec 14, 2010 at 14:25
Mahdi Saul Berardo
9,087 9 52 74 2,590 2 20 22

Don't you prefer a beautiful web app that uses a beautiful server based database system?
– Gabriel Guimarães Dec 14, 2010 at 14:29

8 Personally I prefer the application that gets the job done within the time allowed and gives the features
the client wants. If that’s a web app then great, if that’s a thick client then that’s also great. Also don’t
forget that access can be used as a front end to many server based RDMSs – Kevin Ross Dec 14, 2010 at
14:47

1 did you see a program working on an Access DB (that means: Access as the backend), or did you see a
program created with Access as the frontend? If the 2nd case is what you are talking of: what makes
you sure the application was created with Access? – Doc Brown Dec 14, 2010 at 19:57

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You cant make an access database into an executable file. It just cant happen however you can
fool people into thinking that they are not using access a number of ways, for example
9
Custom splash screen (just put a bmp file in the folder and name it the same as your
database)

Hide the access window and toolbars

Change the access icon

For example take a look at this screen shot

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 There are lots of things going on here and it would be hard to tell that it is built using good
old access 97 (Yes I know the standard toolbar kind of gives it away, it will be going at
somepoint).

Share Follow answered Dec 14, 2010 at 14:45

Kevin Ross
7,145 2 21 27

9 That's a nice-looking UI. Access gets a bad rap because it is (ab)used by so many novice "developers."
In capable hands it is a phenomenal RAD tool. It's not the hammer's fault a seamstress can't build a nice
house. – mwolfe02 Dec 14, 2010 at 22:10

I believe the tool is called the Microsoft Access Runtime toolkit or something along those
lines. The latest version is free, a departure from the previous versions which I believe you had
6 to pay for. From the previous version I tinkered with, it comes with a tool to make a EXE file
from the MDB or ACCB file, a handful of icons for the EXE to use if you are lacking one, and a
program to help you generate Microsoft Help files for your application.

This is a link to the Developer Extensions - I believe the 2007 version of what I described
above: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=D96A8358-ECE4-4BEE-
A844-F81856DCEB67&displaylang=en

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but would allow it to run on computers without Access installed:
 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=D9AE78D9-9DC6-4B38-9FA6-
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NOTE: Both of these are for Access 2007, the version I run. Your version might require
something different - but should be easily located on Microsoft's website.

Share Follow answered Dec 14, 2010 at 18:22

Comrad_Durandal
651 1 10 23

Here's a link to current (2021) Microsoft access runtime: microsoft.com/el-gr/download/details.aspx?

id=50040 – ndemou Oct 1, 2021 at 5:37

If you want to fool the user in thinking that they are not using access it will take some
ingenuity. I have done this. You will need a way to make nice 2D images that you will import
0 into access, and then set them up like buttons, and give them functionality. Make sure you
over lay them on a splash screen of some kind. Not sure if you know VBA but it will be
needed.

At the end make sure you go in to the setting, and turn off anything that might allow the user
to alter the form in any way. And then rename the file's extension like this: fileName.accdr

This is as close to a normal program that you are going to get, and remember it will only look
as good as the art you put into it.

Share Follow edited May 12, 2014 at 17:08 answered Apr 9, 2013 at 17:05
bgins David
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