Free replacement program for Microsoft Access

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I use Microsoft Access only for one database (which people here actually created for me a long time ago):

http://students.hamilton.edu/2005/jrick/quotesfacts.mdb%5B/url%5D

This seems silly — especially since I’m considering upgrading to Office 2003 from 2002, and in so doing downgradng from Office Pro, which includes Access, to Office Standard, which excludes Access — and so I’m curious if there’s a free program out there that will allow me to create a similar database?

Thanks a lot.

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Don’t know of a replacement but just in case you are not aware, when you upgrade to Office 2003 from Office 2002 Pro, your Access 2002 will remain in place and usable. I am in the exact same situation as you. I have one database in Access (my 600+ music CD collection) – When I installed Office 2003, the install program did not touch my 2002 Access.

Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom isn't free!

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Thanks, but I’d like to abandon Access.

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I know that StarOffice has a database component, but that’s not free, and actually, I’ve never used it. I do not think that Open Office (the free version) has a database component. At least, mine doesn’t.

You could look into converting your tables to MySQL tables. But then you would have to get some other product(s) to write all your reports and input forms.

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I know that StarOffice has a database component, but that’s not free, and actually, I’ve never used it. I do not think that Open Office (the free version) has a database component. At least, mine doesn’t.

You could look into converting your tables to MySQL tables. But then you would have to get some other product(s) to write all your reports and input forms.

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Thanks, but I’d like to abandon Access.

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Don’t know of a replacement but just in case you are not aware, when you upgrade to Office 2003 from Office 2002 Pro, your Access 2002 will remain in place and usable. I am in the exact same situation as you. I have one database in Access (my 600+ music CD collection) – When I installed Office 2003, the install program did not touch my 2002 Access.

Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom isn't free!

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I found this ware application – haven’t tried it, but might fit the bill:

9-September-2000 size: 969kb
myMDB is a client for Microsoft Jet Databases (*.mdb) and requires the free MDAC 2.1 components from Microsoft. Features: auto-form, form designer, html-reports with print preview, integral html-viewer, integral syntax highlighted SQL and HTML editor, integral SQL tutorial, execute SQL statements, sample JanSoft database.

Alan

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Thanks for the sug.

myMDB sounds like what Jayden described in http://www.wopr.com/cgi-bin/w3t/showthread…vc=1#Post410393%5B/url%5D

I’d prefer, however, to stear clear of Access.

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Can you set out a list of requirements? There may be some type of “information organizer” or PIM that’s suitable (many free) but need to know the details of how you want it to work.

Alan

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(Edited by Jon_Rick on 23-Sep-04 12:59. )

The quotesfacts database I’m using is simply an ever-growing collection of bon mots that interest me.

Accordingly, I need fields only for the quote, the source, the quotee, and categories.

Theoretically, I could use Excel, but I prefer the look and feel of a database program.

The simpler, the better.

Thanks a lot.

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These aren’t free, but only ASKSAM is more than $50 US or so, and they might work for your purpose:

http://www.softcircuits.com/snippets/%5B/url%5D

http://www.bitsmithsoft.com/%5B/url%5D

http://www.whizfolders.com/%5B/url%5D

http://www.asksam.com/%5B/url%5D

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Maybe I’m just cheap, but I wanted something free.

Thanks, though; your list was helpful.

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Maybe I’m just cheap, but I wanted something free.

Thanks, though; your list was helpful.

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These aren’t free, but only ASKSAM is more than $50 US or so, and they might work for your purpose:

http://www.softcircuits.com/snippets/%5B/url%5D

http://www.bitsmithsoft.com/%5B/url%5D

http://www.whizfolders.com/%5B/url%5D

http://www.asksam.com/%5B/url%5D

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> Theoretically, I could use Excel, but I prefer the look and feel of a database program.

Which part of the look and feel? Access kind of looks like Excel until you design a form… if you have the energy to learn a little VBA, you can create a UserForm in a friendly host (e.g., Word or Excel) that interacts with your MDB file using those MDAC components someone mentioned in an earlier post.

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>Access kind of looks like Excel until you design a form

My database in Access looks nothing like my spreadsheets in Excel.

What I envision is that in inputting records, each quotation has its own page–just like Access. Is this possible via Excel?

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An Access database consists of: one or more tables, zero or more queries, zero or more forms, and zero or more report layouts. Some of these items are easy to replicate in other environments (such as the tables), others may require a little tweaking (e.g., screen forms), while others generally require something new and often different to be built (e.g., report layouts). Excel by itself does not offer record-by-record screen layouts, except through VBA UserForms.

By the way, if you knew that as a student you could get Office 2003 Professional Edition for $162 (“Academic Edition“) (or less), would you go ahead and buy it?

(Note: that is not the “three computer” Student and Teacher version of Office, and can be installed on only one computer and one additional portable computer for the same user.)

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I’ve been buying the Academic editions for years, though this one might be my last, since it’s my last year of college.

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I’ve been buying the Academic editions for years, though this one might be my last, since it’s my last year of college.

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If you want then Biblioscape might suit. Take the tour and look at the features.

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I’ve been buying the Academic editions for years, though this one might be my last, since it’s my last year of college.

---

That’s why it’s always good to never loose contact with those handy college contacts.

Alan

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That’s why it’s always good to never loose contact with those handy college contacts.

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Seems like the eligibility requirements for the “Students&Teachers” edition are pretty loose. “School of Hard Knocks” anyone?

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That’s why it’s always good to never loose contact with those handy college contacts.

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Seems like the eligibility requirements for the “Students&Teachers” edition are pretty loose. “School of Hard Knocks” anyone?

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Thanks, but Biblioscape starts at $79. See http://www.biblioscape.com/purchase.htm%5B/url%5D…

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I should have pointed specifically to BiblioExpress, the version; although it was only one click away on the Products list of the page I referenced.

Alan

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As far as I can tell, there is no free version. If there is, would you post the URL? Thanks.

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Hi Jon:
I see Alan’s offline right now. If you go to his original site, http://www.biblioscape.com/%5B/url%5D, you’ll see BiblioExpress listed as the second link, top left, under products.
Cheers,

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Hi Jon:
I see Alan’s offline right now. If you go to his original site, http://www.biblioscape.com/%5B/url%5D, you’ll see BiblioExpress listed as the second link, top left, under products.
Cheers,

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I was referring to the link Phil provided.
If you explore and drill down on this list you’ll find a ton of ware alternatives, at least one of which is bound to suit your needs.

Alan

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I was referring to the link Phil provided.
If you explore and drill down on this list you’ll find a ton of ware alternatives, at least one of which is bound to suit your needs.

Alan

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As far as I can tell, there is no free version. If there is, would you post the URL? Thanks.

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I should have pointed specifically to BiblioExpress, the version; although it was only one click away on the Products list of the page I referenced.

Alan

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Thanks, but Biblioscape starts at $79. See http://www.biblioscape.com/purchase.htm%5B/url%5D…

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If you want then Biblioscape might suit. Take the tour and look at the features.

---

I’ve been buying the Academic editions for years, though this one might be my last, since it’s my last year of college.

---

That’s why it’s always good to never loose contact with those handy college contacts.

Alan

Reply | Quote

>Access kind of looks like Excel until you design a form

My database in Access looks nothing like my spreadsheets in Excel.

What I envision is that in inputting records, each quotation has its own page–just like Access. Is this possible via Excel?

Reply | Quote

> Theoretically, I could use Excel, but I prefer the look and feel of a database program.

Which part of the look and feel? Access kind of looks like Excel until you design a form… if you have the energy to learn a little VBA, you can create a UserForm in a friendly host (e.g., Word or Excel) that interacts with your MDB file using those MDAC components someone mentioned in an earlier post.

Reply | Quote

(Edited by Jon_Rick on 23-Sep-04 12:59. )

The quotesfacts database I’m using is simply an ever-growing collection of bon mots that interest me.

Accordingly, I need fields only for the quote, the source, the quotee, and categories.

Theoretically, I could use Excel, but I prefer the look and feel of a database program.

The simpler, the better.

Thanks a lot.

Reply | Quote

Can you set out a list of requirements? There may be some type of “information organizer” or PIM that’s suitable (many free) but need to know the details of how you want it to work.

Alan

Reply | Quote

Thanks for the sug.

myMDB sounds like what Jayden described in http://www.wopr.com/cgi-bin/w3t/showthread…vc=1#Post410393%5B/url%5D

I’d prefer, however, to stear clear of Access.

Reply | Quote

I found this ware application – haven’t tried it, but might fit the bill:

9-September-2000 size: 969kb
myMDB is a client for Microsoft Jet Databases (*.mdb) and requires the free MDAC 2.1 components from Microsoft. Features: auto-form, form designer, html-reports with print preview, integral html-viewer, integral syntax highlighted SQL and HTML editor, integral SQL tutorial, execute SQL statements, sample JanSoft database.

Alan

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My 2 pennies worth…… Have you considered using OpenOffice? It has the same features as Office, can read just about any file type, has data base tools, and is FREE.

Go to OpenOffice1.1.3

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Thanks, but I’m very happy with Microsoft Office.

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Thanks, but I’m very happy with Microsoft Office.

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My 2 pennies worth…… Have you considered using OpenOffice? It has the same features as Office, can read just about any file type, has data base tools, and is FREE.

Go to OpenOffice1.1.3

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Hi Jon

I have made an assumption that the DB programme in works is a stripped down version but I have not used it, I have made the assumption because the spreadsheet programme that ships with works is a stripped down version of Excel. I am leaving for Holland in about an hour (UK time) so I cannot get back to you before Tuesday, if you want a copy please PM me your address and I will post it off.

PS. watch out Hans if I am in Holland you can bet I will have a suitcase load of questions !!

Stephen

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You can’t actually send people components of the Microsoft Works program, I’m pretty sure that would violate the license. Anyway, I believe the database is quite a different format; there have been requests posts over the years asking for converters for Word databases.

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I did not mean to take any components out but to send the whole disc with the complete works package on it as I have about a dozen copies, I would not even have a clue how to remove parts of it?

Cheers

Steve

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I did not mean to take any components out but to send the whole disc with the complete works package on it as I have about a dozen copies, I would not even have a clue how to remove parts of it?

Cheers

Steve

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You can’t actually send people components of the Microsoft Works program, I’m pretty sure that would violate the license. Anyway, I believe the database is quite a different format; there have been requests posts over the years asking for converters for Word databases.

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Thanks Stephen, but I’ll pass.

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Thanks Stephen, but I’ll pass.

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Hi Jon

I have made an assumption that the DB programme in works is a stripped down version but I have not used it, I have made the assumption because the spreadsheet programme that ships with works is a stripped down version of Excel. I am leaving for Holland in about an hour (UK time) so I cannot get back to you before Tuesday, if you want a copy please PM me your address and I will post it off.

PS. watch out Hans if I am in Holland you can bet I will have a suitcase load of questions !!

Stephen

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I would suggest getting Office 2003 Pro.
It is worth having Access as one cannot forecast when one will need to use the critter.

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I would suggest getting Office 2003 Pro.
It is worth having Access as one cannot forecast when one will need to use the critter.

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