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Microsoft Access

Score7.5 out of 10

869 Reviews and Ratings

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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.

Categories & Use Cases

Key Features

Learn about the best (and worst!) features Microsoft Access has to offer, as determined by TrustRadius' reviewers.
Based on 869 ratings of Microsoft Access's features
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Top Performing Features

  • Database monitoring

    Teams can monitor database usage and performance metrics.

    Category average: 7.9

  • Database locking

    Locking mechanisms prevent users from accessing data while it is being updated.

    Category average: 7.9

  • Flexible deployment

    The database can be deployed in a variety of environments and operating systems.

    Category average: 7.3

Areas for Improvement

  • Disaster recovery

    Data can be recovered in the event of a disaster.

    Category average: 8

  • ACID compliance

    The database complies with ACID (atomicity, consistency, isolation, durability), ensuring transactions are processed reliably.

    Category average: 8.1

  • Encryption

    Data is encrypted in-motion and at rest, preventing unauthorized access and security breaches.

    Category average: 7.9

Reviews

What users are saying about Microsoft Access.
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Microsoft Access reliable cost-effective inventory management database

Incentivized
Verified User
Account Manager in Sales (51-200 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Microsoft Access as an inventory database for large-purchase orders of materials that we in turn convert (custom, based on customer needs/designs). Once a shipping container has been received and the material(s) tagged, they are entered into Microsoft Access with dimensions, lot/batch numbers and quantity. At this point, the primary users are our Sales team, Order Costing & Material handlers.

Pros

  • Once set up correctly, searching using personalized drop-downs
  • Remote accessibility
  • Ample room for comments/special requirements

Cons

  • Interface could be more user-friendly
  • Appearance could be updated
  • Ability to "step" back search parameters instead of needing to essentially "clear all"

Return on Investment

  • Improved functionality for Material Purchasing
  • Ease of data entry/cataloging raw material shipments for Receiving
  • Improved inventory search/location-specific tracking for Material Handling
  • At-a-glance inventory & cost visibility for Sales team

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Office 2016 (discontinued)

Other Software Used

Microsoft Office 2016 (discontinued), Epicor CMS, HubSpot CRM

Access for Nonprofit Review

Incentivized
Verified User
Administrative Assistant in Human Resources (501-1000 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Microsoft Access to track employee information, organize employee data, and prepare employee communications. It provides a central system for tracking certain data when other tools are not as appropriate. It is a helpful tool for archiving and storing information and providing a reference point when employee questions arise.

Pros

  • Organization of data
  • Record keeping
  • Allows customization

Cons

  • Lack of updates
  • Periodic glitches in functionality
  • Producing printed materials

Return on Investment

  • Better organization of employee data
  • Clearer communication to employees
  • Facilitates compliance with federal and state requirements

Usability

Other Software Used

Microsoft 365, Microsoft Publisher, Adobe Acrobat

Microsoft Access is great for mid-level data organization

Incentivized
Verified User
Employee in Finance and Accounting (11-50 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Microsoft Access is a great tool to help our company organize data in a way that functions for us. It is a flexible program that allows us to create a database that is tailored to our specific needs.

Pros

  • Organize data
  • Flexibility to customize our data base

Cons

  • Can't expand to big due to lack of ability to grow

Return on Investment

  • Allows us to track data quicker and easier, saving time and money.
  • Allows us to analyze date quickly saving time.
  • Allows us to customize the data saved and how it is used.

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Access is great for template integration. Not a reliable database.

Verified User
Professional (51-200 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use Microsoft Access for database management, templates, printing name badges and recording tallies.

Pros

  • Keeping one type of data, mainly text
  • sorting alphabetically reliably from A to Z
  • Keeping data in one strict format such as phone numbers in (999) 999-999 configuration

Cons

  • In my experience, tallies in records tab don't update accurately to reflect changes in database. You need to save the Microsoft Access file first, then the app will update the changes in tally.
  • For me, file doesn't save reliably
  • In my experience, sharing the Microsoft Access file in a team can corrupt the file

Return on Investment

  • Can't copy from Excel directly into Microsoft Access across multiple columns, each entry goes into each cell, which is tedious
  • Can't import Excel file reliably into Microsoft Access database, it requires too many reformats
  • Google docs is more reliable for me, but not suitable for printing name tags

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Google Sheets

Other Software Used

Google Sheets

Great for small database work

Incentivized
Verified User
Administrator (5001-10,000 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Our organization uses Microsoft Access to create and manage databases based on our unique data sets. Access gives us the flexibility for different staff members to generate reports for their programming needs. We also have the option to view the database in different views. This is important since the level of technological competence differs for staff, so having the option to view data in different ways is more meaningful and helpful to staff.

Pros

  • Individual entry data points
  • Option for multiple individuals to access the database
  • Ability to view data in different views

Cons

  • Speed of functionality decreases as size of database increases
  • Complex programming sometimes take a long time to run
  • Both good and bad, all data is in a single file

Return on Investment

  • We have only been able to train about 20% of employees to the point of competency with Access.
  • The younger workforce doesn't appear tolerant of individual level of data entry

Usability

Other Software Used

Microsoft 365, Microsoft Excel, Cloud Signage for Google Drive

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