How to use Microsoft Access on a MAC

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 tablets.

Chances are if you’ve developed an Access database application then you have a Windows PC anyway, why do you need MS Access for Mac?

Well, what if you need to share your Access application with colleagues, and what if those colleagues are using a Mac or other non-Windows device?  What if your boss wants to check something from his iPad at home?

The answer actually solves two problems. The best way to share an Access database application with Mac users is also one of the best ways of sharing an Access database application full stop. The solution is to use a hosted remote desktop service.

Access on a remote desktop

Microsoft have developed a Remote Desktop Client for Mac, iOS and Android, as well as Windows. This means that if you run your Access database from a Hosted Desktop it can be used by users of any device just as easily as those running Windows.

Benefits to a hosted remote desktop service

Beyond the ability to run Access on a Mac or iPad, hosting it gives you a number of other benefits:

• The remote desktop service is supported and maintained by the provider
• Your data is backed up
• You can run your Access database from anywhere in the world where there is an Internet Connection
• Users running Access on a Mac will get the same experience as users running it on their PC
• There are no code changes required as Access is, in reality, running on a Windows machine
• You can use the Access Runtime environment so no Access licence costs
• Flexibility to increase or decrease user numbers
• Scalability to increase user numbers to the maximum supported by Access

What is a hosted remote desktop service?

Remote Desktop Services, previously called Terminal Services is a technology that enables applications to be run on the remote desktop server instead of the user’s PC (or Mac). Lots of users can log on to the remote desktop server and run the same applications simultaneously. The system was designed mainly to help organisations with remote sites that needed to run applications where the data, documents or databases are at a central location. It’s a bit like having really long keyboard, mouse and monitor cables.

With the recent improvements in internet speed as well as other technologies such as server virtualisation it is now easy to host the Access database with a service provider rather than pay to build and maintain the technology yourself.

Can you run Microsoft Access on a Mac?

While there isn’t a version of Access that installs on a Mac, the best way to use Access on a Mac is to use a hosted desktop service where you can run Access on cloud hosted desktops and connect from devices such as Mac, iOS and Android OS.

Does Microsoft 365 include Access for Mac?

The Microsoft 365 licences only have a PC version of Microsoft Access. So, while there are versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook that will run directly on an Apple device, Mac users will need to use a hosted desktop service or other solutions to run Access

What app do I need to run Access using a Mac?

From the app store download the Microsoft Remote Desktop Client app and use that to connect to a hosted remote desktop service either as a full desktop, or as Work Resources which feel more like local apps

Do I need to re-write my Access database application to run on a Mac?

When connecting to a hosted desktop running your Access database application you are actually running it on a Windows computer behind the scenes so there is no re-coding required.

Can I use Access on a Mac?

Microsoft Access doesn’t run on Mac OS or iOS unlike Word or Excel which has an Apple version. However, by using a hosted desktop you can run Access in the cloud and connect to the hosted application from an Apple Mac or iOS

Do I need an Office 365 or Microsoft 365 subscription to run Apple on a Mac?

A hosted desktop service running Microsoft Access and accessed from a Mac can either use Microsoft 365 licences or Service Provider Licence Agreement (SPLA) licences. You can also use the free Access Runtime licences although a full licence is required to modify the forms, tables, queries or reports.

Contact us to get your Access database hosted in the cloud

You can see that running your Access database on an iPad or Mac or easy and effective using hosted remote desktop services. To find out more about how to get your Access database in the cloud and to have MS Access for Mac, contact one of Your Office Anywhere’s technical sales consultants who can discuss your individual requirements and provide you with a demonstration. Call today on 01282 500318 or complete the form at our contact page.

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