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Microsoft Access

Microsoft Access

Overview

What is Microsoft Access?

Microsoft Access is a database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools.

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Recent Reviews
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Awards

Products that are considered exceptional by their customers based on a variety of criteria win TrustRadius awards. Learn more about the types of TrustRadius awards to make the best purchase decision. More about TrustRadius Awards

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Pricing

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Microsoft Access

$139.99

On Premise
per PC

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services
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Product Demos

Workflow Builder for Microsoft Access Demo

YouTube

Use a File Dialog in Microsoft Access

YouTube

Open Source Simple LIMS Software for Small Lab Demo

YouTube

Microsoft Access Electronic Signature Capture Database Template

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Microsoft Access Database Tutorial - User form Login Security Demo

YouTube

Microsoft Access Project Management Database Template

YouTube
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Product Details

What is Microsoft Access?

Microsoft Access Video

What is Microsoft Access?

Microsoft Access Competitors

Microsoft Access Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise
Operating SystemsWindows
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

Microsoft Access is a database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools.

Claris FileMaker are common alternatives for Microsoft Access.

Reviewers rate Usability highest, with a score of 10.

The most common users of Microsoft Access are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(826)

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-25 of 98)
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January 27, 2023

Nice when is included

Jose Eduardo Escobar | TrustRadius Reviewer
Jose Eduardo Escobar
Security Officer
CrediQ (Banking, 1001-5000 employees)
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
It fits very well when few transactions are required to be processed but for our solution we had multiple installations on user computers that were synced in batches with our sql server.It is not suitable when the transactionality is high or the access of several users is required simultaneously, nor does it support large tables without significantly affecting performance
May 25, 2022

A great Database management solution which covers all aspects of data storage and management.

Verified User
Manager in Sales
Information Technology & Services Company, 11-50 employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
It is well suited for organizations that are looking for an affordable way to manage their database. Analytics and reporting are quite adequate as well. Fulfills the basic functionalities required for basic level organizations. But if you want something more refined and advanced there are other tools out there that will suit your purposes more.
December 21, 2021

A superb database management system

Dhiman Roy | TrustRadius Reviewer
Dhiman Roy
Officer
Sonali Bank Limited (Banking, 10,001+ employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Recommend
For me it is a magnificent software and database management system. In this software data can be easily imported as there is no need to import data manually. It also provides free templates which make our work easier. The software is cost effective for an organisation. The interface is also attractive to do work here.
August 20, 2021

[Microsoft] Access - not for the faint of heart - but certainly for the amateur data miner

Verified User
Executive in Professional Services
Computer Software Company, 11-50 employees
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
ResellerIncentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft Access can be easily implemented with training. It doesn't require expert level skill for basic reporting functions - but can be scaled to a complex database with sophisticated users. Its appropriate to consider if excel needs to be used to create reports, or if there are data entry needs - with corresponding reports.
July 19, 2021

Microsoft Access a great MS SQL alternative

Verified User
Manager in Engineering
Hospitality Company, 51-200 employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend

[Microsoft] Access allows you to create places to store data in an easily retrievable fashion, allowing multiple users and form views for display and data entry, reporting, and data analysis. Easily mitigable to SQL Server, as you continue to grow. I've turned many an [Microsoft] Access database into a front-end for SQL Server. The Application looks and behaves like the other Office products, making it's introduction to new users fairly simple and straight forward. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.


June 28, 2021

Best in Business, Microsoft Access!

RV
Rounak Verma
Data Analyst
Wayfair (Retail, 5001-10,000 employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Having worked at startups, I can say Microsoft Access is most suited for their needs. Some of the reasons for that can be the ease and ability to create tables, design an entity-relationship diagram, define the relationship between different tables, feeding data into the tables, and retrieving data. All of this can be curated very easily into a process for small to medium-size enterprises. But a serious limitation can be observed where Access does not provide better features for large-scale companies. Another limitation is for companies where Mac is used as work computers.
June 24, 2021

A powerful database that lets you organize your data as you like

Peggi Wolfe | TrustRadius Reviewer
Peggi Wolfe
Global Programs Specialist
Alcorn State University (Education Management, 501-1000 employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft Access is very well suited for collecting and organizing data in tables, and then using those tables to build relationships between tables using a common field, so you can build queries to find specific types of data over several related tables. Having a relational database is the best way to customize queries, forms, and reports. There are some built-in statistical or mathematical functions, which allow you to generate meaningful statistics to a certain degree. For generating reports and forms on specific related data, Microsoft Access is much better suited. It is less appropriate for statistical analysis, creating charts, and graphs. Microsoft Excel is much better for charts, graphs, and utilizing formulae and statistical functions to visually present data in graphic form.
May 19, 2021

Very powerful, but not easy to configure

Alicia Barevich, bCRE, bCEE | TrustRadius Reviewer
Alicia Barevich, bCRE, bCEE
Database Administrator
Self (Publishing, 1-10 employees)
Score 5 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
[Microsoft Access is] great that it's fully customizable, and doesn't require a monthly fee, but it is annoying that it's only usable on a local network. It is exceptionally difficult to code advanced reports that are exactly how we want them. I personally find Crystal Reports and most any other reporting system easier to make deeply complex reports.
May 15, 2021

Simple and Easy database management solution

Verified User
Supervisor in Engineering
Telecommunications Company, 10,001+ employees
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
It is [...] well organized and easy to configure and use basic database platform with multiple functions. Data management for multiple resources and abstracting and query from large data is easy and fast with MS Access. The application is good to go for any organization for initial learnings of database management procedures at low cost.
May 13, 2021

Simple and graphical database management tool for small and medium corporate projects

Niloofar Keshvari Nia | TrustRadius Reviewer
Niloofar Keshvari Nia
IT Operations and Support Specialist
AZEREX LLC. (Information Technology & Services, 1-10 employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
When you want to automate a simple project and need to launch an application or software for it, the tool used to build it must be simple and [efficient]. Microsoft Access is a good option because it is also a graphical environment. You do not need to be a developer or programmer. Ready-made templates and good graphical features get things done with just a few clicks.
May 02, 2021

Microsoft Access Review

Verified User
Team Lead in Finance and Accounting
Banking Company, 201-500 employees
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Although Microsoft Access may have a few shortcomings, [...] the pros [really] outweigh them and make this a perfect choice for a database management software. The user interface is fairly simple and can be used by anyone, with minimal or zero knowledge about SQL. It is also easy to learn and grasp if you're just getting started with database management.
May 02, 2021

Microsoft Access Makes it Possible!

Verified User
Analyst in Other
Construction Company, 201-500 employees
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft Access is great for scenarios in which you have a vast amount of records/information to store. For example, we have thousands of backlogged bid proposals to different GCs for several projects. Trying to maintain all of these files in a filing cabinet or even an Excel spreadsheet would be nearly impossible. Microsoft Access makes it possible.
April 30, 2021

Microsoft Access for Newbies

Verified User
Administrator in Other
Higher Education Company, 5001-10,000 employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
My person recommendation is a 10 for the product!!! I love it and it is a life saver if you work with a lot of data.
However, I rated this an 8 overall because of the Learning curve and limited number of expienced users able to help with questions.
Definitely take the risk to try and learn it though. You won't regret it!
April 22, 2021

A good tool for rapid development and prototyping, better for data management than Excel

Verified User
Project Manager in Marketing
Farming Company, 10,001+ employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
  • Microsoft Access is great for local low code, relational database applications where users are creating, reading, updating, and deleting data (CRUD)..
  • Access provides SQL implementation and relational database functionality in a easy-to-use environment which makes it superb to excel for data management activities.
  • Useful mostly for locally stored database and not network or cloud-based applications
  • Easy-to-user interface makes it hard to compete against
  • The underlying SQL and relational database architecture handles larger sets of data much better than Microsoft Excel.
April 09, 2021

Microsoft Access is good for databases management

DT
Dong Tsai
Engineering Technician
Santa FE College (Education Management, 201-500 employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft Access is a decent and productive data access and analysis tool and can be well suited for small to medium sized organization. It can manage normal databases very effectively and generate business value reports for the enterprises. It is not an ideal option for the organizations with larger databases.
April 08, 2021

MS Access: It Has a Place in the Mix

Verified User
Analyst in Corporate
Education Management Company, 1001-5000 employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Well suited: local solutions, reporting solutions, prototype/temporary solutions (e.g. if ICT doesn't have time to build a UI but data collection needs to start now). Less appropriate: 1) more than a handful of users of the particular solution, 2) amateur developers, 3) access required over the www.
April 08, 2021

Microsoft Access, Relationship databases for even the smallest players.

Joe Gill | TrustRadius Reviewer
Joe Gill
Director, Systems Automation
Turtle & Hughes (Business Supplies and Equipment, 501-1000 employees)
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Can be utilized for large and small tasks, just depends on the use case. If the goal is to create a user frieldly front end for a SQL Database, this is the way to go. The size limitations can become an issue down the road, only if the system is not setup efficiently.
March 15, 2021

Teaching with Access

Balázs Kiss | TrustRadius Reviewer
Balázs Kiss
Software Developer
Webvalto Ltd. (Banking, 51-200 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Recommend
For educational purposes, creating and maintaining an Access database can be a good introduction for new learners. The GUI allows to visualize RDBMS concepts like table, connections, queries. Non-programmer personnel can understand how this math model works without writing SQL, but also allows a smooth transition from WYSIWYG to SQL-based commands.
January 21, 2021

Microsoft Access Views

Daren Anderson, MSIS | TrustRadius Reviewer
Daren Anderson, MSIS
President
Big D Technology Solutions, Inc. / Big D Online Solutions (Information Technology and Services, 1-10 employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
ResellerIncentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
If you are working with a small company with 20 or less workstations, it would be an excellent way to share data; but if you get to be over the 30 user mark, then you need to look at something higher end like SQL. If you are a small operation and need to quickly parse some data or change it in some way, Access is the way to go.
January 09, 2020

Access is wonderfully affordable and customizable, just be prepared to do some training.

Che Odom | TrustRadius Reviewer
Che Odom
Marketing and Business Administrator
Rabren General Contractors, Inc. (Construction, 51-200 employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
It is best used when you want a database to track historical data with a lot of inputs and relationships. A great example is tracking information on construction projects: you can input all the information that you have about a particular historical project, about pursuits that you are tracking, etc. (the same could be said for any sales area actually), then easily pull specific types of historical information for current proposals and pursuits. That is what I use it for.
January 03, 2020

Microsoft Access Positive Aspects

Thairy Ollarves | TrustRadius Reviewer
Thairy Ollarves
Analista Corporativo CFG/FCI
CFG/FCI (Financial Services, 201-500 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Recommend
Access is graphical, so it takes full advantage of the graphical power of Windows, offering usual methods of access to data and provides simple and direct methods of working with information. It also facilitates the administration of data, since its possibilities of consultation and connection help you to quickly find the desired information, whatever its format or storage location. If you want a more robust database, for larger environments, although a little more complicated you can use MYSQL. It's free if it is for internal or personal systems, and with a small payment you can distribute it.
November 29, 2019

Microsoft Access - Excellent tool for RAD but due for a significant overhaul.

Verified User
Analyst in Quality Assurance
Hospital & Health Care Company, 5001-10,000 employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend

MS Access is excellent for setting up a small scale database or to simply import data and run VBA script to automate data manipulation tasks. It's also an excellent tool to link with enterprise-level data warehouses usually kept in Oracle or MS SQL Server. In such cases MS Access simple acts as a frontend tool that can query data. You can create professional reports for publishing data.

MS Access tends to fall short while handling bigger datasets that have more than a few million records. The processing time, especially when run from a network drive can be very slow compared to running on your local machine. The file size in such cases is also a limitation. Although that limitation can be overcome using multiple backend data files it does require a bit of routine maintenance.

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