MS Access and rapid prototyping

Mikes Notes

I use MS Access for rapid prototyping. It is a perfect tool for exploring different ideas visually, and it is easy to export into a production-grade database server. It also makes a quick-to-build front end. I use DBeaver to migrate data.

  • Postgresql
  • MS SQL
  • DBeaver

Resources

The references below come from isladogs run by Colin Riddington (Mendip Data Systems.

Access Forums

A list of specialist Access and other forums which have a significant Access section

Access World Forums
Currently the largest of the 3 main Access forums in terms of membership and daily traffic. Very active and with a wide range of sample databases and code samples

Utter Access
Although much quieter than before, this is a long-standing Access forum with a broad membership and a beneficial archive of samples and examples.

Access Forums.net
A smaller forum but also with many active members

MS Access Tech Community
Microsoft's current forum for developers. Slightly more complex to use, but several highly knowledgeable members actively involved

Bytes
Access section of a site covering a wide range of applications as well as Access

Tek Tips
Another site covering a wide range of applications as well as Access

Stack Overflow
Excellent resource for information for a wide range of programming languages. Regards itself as a knowledge base rather than a discussion forum

Access Feedback
This is the latest official Microsoft site for user feedback and suggestions. It replaces the now-defunct Access User Voice site. Of course, whether MS does anything about the input this time is another matter!

Access Help Sites

A list of some of the most helpful help sites for Access

Access Forever
Karl Donaubauer started a new Access blog site in December 2022, assisted by other Access experts George Hepworth, Peter Doering, and Philipp Stiefel. Initially, the site will focus on Access information, including bugs, tools, and events.

Git Hub VBA Tools
The Git Hub website is a vast resource of open-source code. Microsoft now owns it, but they have promised to allow the site to remain fully independent.

No Longer Set
Run by Mike Wolfe. A DAILY blog of advanced techniques, unique perspectives, and strong opinions from the Microsoft Access version control guy.

Isladogs on Access
I am listing my own site here because at least one other site listed here has a direct link back to this page!
It is run by Colin Riddington (Mendip Data Systems). It is another extensive site with a regularly updated range of Access articles, example apps, and code samples!

Dev Hut
Run by Daniel Pineault (CARDA Consultants). Extensive site with a regularly updated range of Access articles and code samples

Computer Learning Zone
Extensive website with articles and example apps created by Access MVP Richard Rost. Many of these are free, whilst others are part of various training courses that can be purchased.

The DBGuy
Excellent site with articles, sample code and example databases by UA moderator, The DBGuy (Leo).

Allen Browne's tips for Microsoft Access
Allen Browne's site has many tips for Access users of all abilities. Unfortunately, Allen is no longer active in this area, but the site remains essential.

Pearson Software Consulting
This website by Chip Pearson is aimed mainly at Excel users, but much of the information applies to Access. Unfortunately, Chip died in April 2018, but his excellent site remains online.

Lebans.com
Stephen Lebans retired in 2009, but his site has many very clever utilities, mostly graphics-related and based on extensive use of APIs.

Access Web
Another superb site for Access developers was started by Dev Ashish and is now run by Arvin Meyer. It is no longer updated but is an excellent resource.

Access Junkie
Another excellent site run by Jeff Conrad has many Access articles and code samples.
UPDATE Dec 2019 - Unfortunately, the site is no longer maintained but remains available for now

Access Diva
Run by Gina Whipp, this has a wide range of example code, tips and sample databases.

FMS
Commercial site by Luke Chung with many excellent Access utilities. It also has many detailed articles and several free code samples.

Doug Steele
More examples and samples by Access MVP Doug Steele.

W3Schools
Tremendous online learning resource covering HTTP, CSS, PHP, VBA, SQL, Java, and more.

Codekabinett
Another outstanding site run by Philipp Stiefel. The site (in German and English) has many detailed Access articles and code samples. Highly recommended.

Windows API Reference: Functions
Very detailed resource of almost all API functions available in Access and other Office programs.

Wizhook reference
Online reference resource by Jason M with information about the little documented hidden Wizhook function

Access Ribbons
Examples and tutorial for ribbon creation by Gunter Avenius (in German and English). Ribbon creator utility available for purchase

Access MVPs
Official site for several Access MVPs. Many examples and code samples

BTAB Development
Free samples, tools, short and full-length tutorials and code. The site was created by Bob Larson & is now run by Juan Soto.

MS Access Gurus
Another very good site run by Crystal Long (MVP). This includes a wide range of articles for developers. Consists of an excellent Analyser tool

Learn MS Access Tips & Tricks
A long-established site run by APR Pillai containing a huge number of tips and tricks for Access users of all skill levels

Data Models
This is an updated version of the old Database Answers website run by Barry Williams. It contains many Industry Data Models with various schemas for database table design. The site is now run by Databases.Biz and is being updated and extended.

ASCII Tables
Helpful reference when you need to use the ACSII number codes for keyboard input

Access Object Model
Microsoft's official site contains documentation for all the objects, properties, methods, and events in the Access object model.

Tech On The Net
Detailed articles listing (almost) all Microsoft Access functions together with how/where each can be used.

Roger's Access Blog
Thoughts, opinions, samples, tips, and tricks about Microsoft Access by Roger Carlson

Wikibooks Visual Basic
Mainly for VB6, but much of the content can easily be adapted for VBA
It covers many different techniques and topics, including object-oriented programming, optimization of programs and coding guidelines.

Connection Strings
Outstanding reference about all types of connection strings. Essential info for all developers.

JKP Application Development
Site in both Dutch and English with valuable tips & code for Excel, Access and other Office applications, including a very useful non-ActiveX Treeview control

Tony Toews Access
One of the oldest Microsoft Access websites was started by Tony Toews (ex-MVP) in 1995.
The site contains Tony's Microsoft Access tips, hints, links, an email FAQ, and access-based accounting systems.

RegEx 101
This is a very useful site for testing & debugging regular expressions.

Extends Class Online Tools for Developers
This site, run by Cyril Bois, contains many handy online tools for developers. All are entirely free to use

JSON to CSV
This is a very useful site for online conversions. Many other conversion facilities are available, including CSV to JSON and CSV to HTML.

JSON Lint
JSONLint is a validator and reformatter for JSON files. Use it to tidy and validate your JSON code.

JSON Editor
Another very useful site for managing JSON files

Microsoft Access Help Center
Official Microsoft site with help articles for Access - mainly for beginners but some helpful info for intermediate/advanced users as well

Microsoft Access Functions
This is the result of a search linking 9 separate Microsoft help articles. Many thanks to Pat Hartman for this suggestion.

Microsoft Access templates
Download site for all Access templates created by Microsoft to demonstrate Access features. NOTE: The quality of these templates varies significantly

My Engineering World
This site is very useful by Christos Samaras, with many tips and hints for Office products and other topics (in English and Greek).

Wayback Machine
The Wayback Machine is an initiative of the non-profit Internet Archive & contains a vast digital library of Internet sites and digital artefacts collected over a period of time.
If a website is no longer available with a 404 Page not found error, you may well find it here.

Access Video Tutorials

A list of some helpful video sites for Access.

Access Europe
This is the official playlist with all the videos for the Europe chapter of AccessUserGroups.org. A new video is added each month.

Isladogs on Access
My own Isladogs YouTube video site has additional content added regularly.

AccessUserGroups.org
The YouTube channel for all chapters of AccessUserGroups.org has well over 400 videos, and several new videos are added each month.

Computer Learning Zone
This is a huge resource of over 1500 videos created by Access MVP Richard Rost. Many of these are free, while others are part of various training courses that can be purchased.

How to in Access 2013/2016
Complete a course of over 100 Access online tutorials by Steve Bishop for all levels of ability, from absolute beginners through intermediate to advanced users.

LearnAccessByCrystal
Another comprehensive set of videos by Access MVP Crystal Long.

Better VBA
This is yet another wide-ranging set of videos by Philipp Stiefel.

Nifty Access
AWF moderator Tony Hine has created many free Access tutorial videos aimed mainly at beginners and intermediate users.

Microsoft Access Videos
The official Microsoft Access video training site is aimed mainly at beginners.

Datapig Form Basics
Datapig Queries
These are collections of several older Access videos by Mike Alexander. The videos demonstrate various Access techniques in forms & queries.
Previously unavailable for several years, these have recently been uploaded to YouTube by Crystal Long.

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