MS has been trying to move away from Access for a very long time, but the user base is making it very difficult for them. I am guessing this is why they do not include it with Office for Mac, since they don't even want it on Office for Windows anymore. Even with the free version of SQL Light (not it's actual name, but I forget what it is called) many users are afraid of making the switch, since they loose the single-file database they have been using for so long. I have that situation at work right now. To my knowledge, there is no native Mac software to edit or even read an MS Access database. Run MS Access Runtime Version on a Mac. FREE DOWNLOAD. Nappy_d There are a 1000 ways to skin the technology cat. It would not run the MS Access queries, macros or scripts. It's more than this solution. Get answers and train to solve all your tech problems - anytime, anywhere. You have to export the data in Windows to a cross-platform friendly format (Excel, XML, etc) and then import it back if you make changes to it outside of Access. I don't imagine this is going to change. Click to expand.It's not merely a matter of 'want to' on the part of Microsoft or Apple. Microsoft Access uses the Microsoft Jet Database Engine. That Engine is deeply integrated into a host of Windows technologies. It's a lot more complicated than a Word Processor or Spreadsheet. Ensuring cross-compatibility and data integrity would be a huge undertaking, for likely a very small market. Most applications could be solved by using a spreadsheet (seriously) or else moving to a SQL-basd technology that could be far more compatible across platforms. MS has been trying to move away from Access for a very long time, but the user base is making it very difficult for them. I am guessing this is why they do not include it with Office for Mac, since they don't even want it on Office for Windows anymore. Even with the free version of SQL Light (not it's actual name, but I forget what it is called) many users are afraid of making the switch, since they loose the single-file database they have been using for so long. I have that situation at work right now. To my knowledge, there is no native Mac software to edit or even read an MS Access database. You have to export the data in Windows to a cross-platform friendly format (Excel, XML, etc) and then import it back if you make changes to it outside of Access. I don't imagine this is going to change. Click to expand.You go to your university's computer lab? Good for you. I never understand why people constantly say things like: Why do you need access? I just use VMWare I just use another computer. I just use a different database. Blah blah blah. That's YOUR solution. Some people have genuine use for an application in their own environment. People should stop making ridiculous suggestions. I can't imagine the ordinary joe (especially people not used to the windows environment) installing that workaround. Also, some people may have a complex spreadsheet already programmed, and they have migrated to OSX, and they don't want to have to spend another 1000 hours programming time to convert it all (in my case) because it is hooked up with a database. My spreadsheet and db needs portability between osx and windows, because much to my surprise (SHOCK HORROR) people use windows - and last I knew, my 63 year old colleague didn't have access to a 'university lab computer'. Installing VMware then having to install windows, then having to install office is just NOT a practical solution to run one application. Let alone the cost of doing that. The original question was WHY can't microsoft negotiate with apple to include access in it's OSX version of office. I for one would welcome this, because I have to fire up vmware with windows and office every time I want to run my spreadsheet that has access at it's back end. A royal PITA. All this said I have a feeling it (ms access in OSX ms office) will never happen. Click to expand.Its been answered - MS has been trying to move away themselves - the cost of migrating the program over is way too costly for them to consider and even if they got the basics down there would be no way for them to ensure it would work properly due to Jets reliance on Windows stuff. This isnt like making a mac version of word. Access was never designed with cross platform in mind and is a darn complicated program. Its just not worth it for them and nothing that Apple is going to tell them will likely change that. There are tons of easier programs for MS to convert over in the office suite (One Note, Project) that they stubbornly refuse to move over. Heck it took forever for Mac users to get Outlook (and even then its not the same as the PC version as far as support goes). The simple answer remains is that MS doesnt want to invest in a major project that may not succeed to accommodate users that they want to move to another platform (like MS SQL) anyhow. Its been answered - MS has been trying to move away themselves - the cost of migrating the program over is way too costly for them to consider and even if they got the basics down there would be no way for them to ensure it would work properly due to Jets reliance on Windows stuff.
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