Since the MAC version of MS Office does not include MS Access (there is no MAC version of Access and never has been) , we often see questions similar to:
How can I run Microsoft Access on a MAC?”
- Get Office apps for Mac Start quickly with the most recent versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and OneDrive —combining the familiarity of Office and the unique Mac features you love.
- Unlike other versions of Office apps that support VBA, Office 2016 for Mac apps are sandboxed. Sandboxing restricts the apps from accessing resources outside the app container. This affects any add-ins or macros that involve file access or communication across processes.
- Use Office Online in a Browser; It’s Free. Whether you’re using a Windows 10 PC, Mac,.
- Use Microsoft Remote Desktop for Mac to connect to a remote PC or virtual apps and desktops made available by your admin. With Microsoft Remote Desktop, you can be productive no matter where you are. GET STARTED Configure your PC for remote access using the information at https://aka.ms/rdsetup.
in various forums. While it is true that you can’t get Access (and other programs) for MAC, there are still ways to run them on your MAC. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.
One convenient subscription that includes premium productivity apps, 1 TB of cloud storage, and advanced security for all your devices. The essentials for individuals to get it all done. Classic versions of the office apps installed on 1 Mac or PC.
Possible Ways to Run MS Access on a MAC
Here are a couple solutions that I am aware of:
Virtualization Software
You can install any number of virtualization software programs, such as Parallels or VMWare Fusion or Oracle VirtualBox, to create a virtual machine in which you install Windows and then MS Office/Access and or any other Windows program(s) of your choosing. This does requires buying Parallels, and owing licenses for Windows and any other program you wish to install.
Once it is setup you can run launch your Windows Virtual Machine directly from within your MAC OS.
Bootcamp
Use Apple’s free Bootcamp software which will create a separate Windows formatted partition on the hard drive to install Windows and the appropriate drivers. It will run Windows as fast or faster than a PC of equivalent specification. The only downside (aside from the cost) is that you cannot run the Mac OS and the Windows OS simultaneously. Users who wanted to use Access would have to shut down the Mac OS and reboot into Windows.
So basically you split/partition your MAC hard drive to create a spot to install Windows. So your computer end up having both OSs installed and you pick which one to run at startup.
Remote Access Software
Another interesting option is to use remote access software, programs such as:
- Microsoft’s Remote Desktop
- TeamViewer
- etc…
to connect to a another computer. The remote access software simply transmits the image of the other computer’s screen image directly back to your local PC. So, you are in fact working directly on the other computer.
So, if you already have access to a Windows PC or server, you can use remote access software to connect to it and run your database.
CrossOver
I recently came across a program called CrossOver which states:
Run Microsoft Windows software on your Mac without buying a Windows license, rebooting or using a virtual machine
I don’t know anything more about this product, but it sounds very interesting and may be worth further investigation. Furthermore, they offer a trial version so you can take it for a test drive.
Microsoft Query
If you simply need to access the data, but not interact with it (Add/Edit/Delete) and you have a copy of MS Office for MAC then you can use Microsoft Query to access the data via ODBC.
As such, it is not possible to download Access for Mac since the Microsoft Office suite only offers this software version for Windows and in certain subscription plans. Access is, together with Publisher, the only two software products that are only offered on computers with the Microsoft operating system and not those of Apple. However, there are several options to use Access on a Mac, so all is not lost, you just have to look for a viable alternative solution.
The first option you have is to use BootCamp. This tool is provided by Apple to create a partition on your hard drive with a Windows installation. Logically, you will need to have installed Windows in that partition, for which you will first have to have a valid copy or image of the system, but once it is done it will be as simple as booting your Mac with the Windows partition and installing Access as you are used to, through your Microsoft account. The usual Access in a Windows environment installed on your Mac.
Another option is to use Parallels Desktop for Mac, a virtual machine capable of running Windows on computers with Mac operating system. There are other options with similar characteristics, as WineBottler, based on the popular Wine or VMWare, which can also be a solution. What they do in essence is the same as the first method: it allows you to use Windows on a Mac and therefore be able to install and use Access, the Microsoft Office database software.
Is There Office Access For Mac Os
Mac