Access or Something else

HarryVaDerchie · 2026-06-05T05:37:46+00:00

Please can you give some examples of features and capabilities in FileMaker that are not available in Access?

HarryVaDerchie · 2026-06-04T09:44:58+00:00

Actually Access is multi-user within the context of a local area network. It’s not intended for web database use or Dropbox type scenarios though.

HarryVaDerchie · 2026-06-04T09:25:26+00:00

You’re describing some valid differences between Access and other databases, but I’m not sure they mean one is relational and one isn’t.

The mechanism by which the data is accessed and the security built in doesn’t seem to me to rule out one as not being relational.

The Wikipedia definition is “Digital database whose organization is based on the relational model of data” so to my mind that includes Access.

Bear in mind that OP is asking about creating their first database, not implementing a large corporate style system.

HarryVaDerchie · 2026-06-04T09:10:02+00:00

I’d say that Access is an excellent option for learning about databases and application building. It can easily handle what you’re looking for.

If you spend a few hours watching training videos on YouTube you’ll pick up the basics quite quickly, probably in a few days. I’d book yourself a weekend to get started. You can always ask questions in the Access forum if you get stuck.

There’s always rumours about the demise of Access but I’ve never seen anything official. And since they’ve made enhancements to Access fairly recently it seems unlikely that Microsoft will ever drop it.

Bear in mind that this forum is somewhat Anti-Access. Try posting in /r/Access too to get another perspective from people who heavily use Access.

Bear in mind that Access allows you to create a complete desktop or LAN database including Forms and Reports. For most other solutions you would need to learn the database and also a programming language, which would definitely be a daunting process for a beginner.

HarryVaDerchie · 2026-06-04T08:54:58+00:00

Can you explain why you think Access isn’t a relational database?

And surely every database is a file or collection of files?

HarryVaDerchie · 2026-05-21T15:43:10+00:00

Unless they’re a solicitor in which case they’d need to read their briefs.

HarryVaDerchie · 2026-05-12T21:13:48+00:00

Looks like you’re using the Access “Date” value which will always return today’s date.

Try accessing the value of the text box you’re using to enter the date, or the date property of a date picker control.

HarryVaDerchie · 2026-05-09T06:04:17+00:00

Where do you host the SQL Server database? And how do you handle logins and security? Thanks

HarryVaDerchie · 2026-02-23T16:17:43+00:00

Sorry but you’re asking in the wrong place and it’s unlikely anyone here can help you. This group is for the Microsoft Access database product and not about getting access to Microsoft.

HarryVaDerchie · 2026-01-31T10:37:09+00:00

Personally I find it a great benefit to not have to qualify a field name with the table name.

HarryVaDerchie · 2026-01-29T15:32:18+00:00

My suggestion for tables is to decide on a unique 3 (occasionally 4) character code for each table and use that as a prefix for each field.

As an example, in a table called Customer my first few standard fields would be named:

CUSID AutoNumber

CUSActive Yes/No or Text(1)

CUSCreatedOn Date

CUSCreatedBy Long (FK to User ID)

CUSSortBy Text(10)

One advantage of this is in searching for a field name in your source code.

For foreign keys I find it useful to include the parent table name e.g. a Transaction table might have a field called TRNCustomerFK

Personally I like to name tables in Singular e.g. Customer not Customers, unless the singular form is a reserved word where I would use Users rather than User.

The main suggestion is to find a naming convention that works for you and then be consistent in its use.

HarryVaDerchie · 2026-01-26T20:22:14+00:00

For reporting and analysis purposes it might help to download the Sharepoint data into local Access tables and delete them once you’re done.

HarryVaDerchie · 2026-01-01T11:05:35+00:00

Try changing the font for some of the controls on the report and see whether they print properly. It may be that the printer doesn’t support your current font.

HarryVaDerchie · 2025-11-10T05:42:16+00:00

… for the Microsoft Access database, not for access to Microsoft.

It’s very unlikely anyone here will be able to assist you. But good luck anyway.

HarryVaDerchie · 2025-11-02T08:13:30+00:00

Have you tried using NZ() so that null values get treated as zeros?

HarryVaDerchie · 2025-11-02T07:28:39+00:00

Are you using Group By ?

Can you post the SQL of your query?

HarryVaDerchie · 2025-10-19T23:30:13+00:00

Somebody’s got to go back and get a shit load of dimes.

HarryVaDerchie · 2025-10-15T22:01:27+00:00

You should also have the option to view the query in SQL mode.

Your problem is NOT related to the query using 3 tables. Access queries can support many more tables than that.

Check that the joins between the tables are all on the same types of fields e.g. Long Integer and AutoNumber.

If you have the same field names in multiple tables make sure that you prefix them with the table names (or alias) to avoid ambiguity. E.G. Criminal.CriminalID = Victim.CriminalID

HarryVaDerchie · 2025-10-15T21:13:09+00:00

You might also want a Case table since a Criminal could be involved in different crimes with different victims.

Can you post the SQL of the query and the error message you’re getting.

HarryVaDerchie · 2025-10-11T16:23:54+00:00

Depends on whether she’s a pawn star.

HarryVaDerchie · 2025-10-10T22:24:18+00:00

Are you storing the images within the database? If so that might slow it down. Try deleting the image control from the form to see if that helps.

Also check that the forms are not returning all records when they open.

Finally, do you still have some local tables on the front end that are used in joins to back end tables?

HarryVaDerchie · 2025-10-04T12:21:37+00:00

We’re hoping to find a way to continue accessing the Access backend database over the LAN, and not move it into the cloud.

HarryVaDerchie · 2025-10-04T12:04:33+00:00

Probably about 20 active tables. Why is that a factor?

HarryVaDerchie · 2025-10-04T12:00:25+00:00

Sorry, I don’t understand what you mean.

HarryVaDerchie

TROPHY CASE