Distribute Your Database with Free Runtime Edition

Learn how to use the Microsoft Access Runtime Edition to install a FREE version of your database for other people to use. As long as they don't need to make design changes, they can use the Runtime Edition.

Daniel from Newark, New Jersey (a Gold Member) asks: I want to build a Microsoft Access database solution for my company. I've got 30 employees, about half of whom would need to use the database. I'm the only person who would be making design changes. I heard that there's something called the Runtime Edition that I can install so I don't have to pay for a copy of Office on each PC. How does that work?

Members

Members will learn how to take extra precautions to prevent against the database application crashing. We'll see how to compile our VBA code to check for syntax errors. We'll learn how to check for common Runtime errors which are harder to detect. And we'll see some basic error handling techniques to deal with those kinds of errors.

•  Extended Cut Video - Silver
• Gold Member Template Download - Gold

Silver Members and up get access to view Extended Cut videos, when available. Gold Members can download the files from class plus get access to the Code Vault. If you're not a member, Join Today!

Download & Install

• Access 365: https://599cd.com/AccessRuntime1
• Access 2016: https://599cd.com/AccessRuntime2

Links

• Create ACCDE File: https://599cd.com/ACCDE
• Startup Form: https://599cd.com/Blank
• Custom Ribbon: https://599cd.com/CustomRibbon
• Help System: https://599cd.com/HelpSystem
• Error Handling: https://599cd.com/ErrorHandling
• Simple Security: https://599cd.com/ACCDE
• Split Database: https://599cd.com/Split
• Access Updater: https://599cd.com/Updater

Notes

I get asked this question all the time from people who split their databases and want to set them up for multi-user access: "if you give users read/write access to the folder on the server that holds the database, can't they just delete the file (either accidentally or intentionally?)

Yep. That's a risk you take with Access. People need read/write privileges to the back-end folder. If they know what they're doing, they can open up your tables directly, or even delete the database file altogether. There's not much you can do about it. That's why you need good nightly backups, saved in a secure folder. You can also encrypt the data in the tables so if they steal the file, all they'll see is gibberish. But you really can't stop them from deleting the file. If you need that kind of security, then you'll have to upgrade the back-end to SQL Server.

Topics

For users who don't need to design
Runtime is FREE
Type types: Internet install v MSI
32 bit v 64 bit
Do NOT install if they have Access

Unavailable Features

Special keys: Ctrl-Break, SHIFT bypass
Navigation Pane: provide your own menus
Set a Startup Form or AutoExec
The Ribbon
Design View, Layout View
Help System
Filter by Form, Selection
VBA Editor
Spell Checking

Considerations

Compact & Repair
Compile your VBA Code
Include your own Error Handling
Make an ACCDE file
Reminder: Back up your ACCDB file!
Split your Database
Access Updater
SharePoint Seminar
Windows Installer

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