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A Vision for Modernizing Microsoft Access - A Proposal

Anonymous
2024-12-08T14:40:16+00:00

A Vision for Modernizing Microsoft Access

Dear Microsoft Access Team,

As a longtime user and admirer of Microsoft Access, I’d like to share some ideas for modernizing and future-proofing this remarkable tool. Access has been a cornerstone for database-driven applications, but I believe it has the potential to reach new heights with the following updates:

  1. Upgrade Forms to HTML5 + CSS
    Replace the current forms system with HTML5 and CSS, allowing for responsive and adaptive designs. This change would enable Access applications to function seamlessly across desktops, tablets, and mobile devices, enhancing versatility and usability.
  2. Support for JavaScript as a “Code-Behind” Language

In addition to VBA, introduce JavaScript as an alternative for coding. JavaScript’s modern ecosystem and developer familiarity would attract more users and open up new development possibilities.

  1. Modernize Reports with HTML5 + CSS

Update the reporting system to output results in HTML5 and CSS. This would provide greater flexibility for customized designs and make reports compatible with web and mobile interfaces.

  1. Reintroduce Application Splitting and Deployment

Reinstate and enhance the ability to split databases into a back-end and a front-end application. Allow developers to export front-end applications created in HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript for hosting on web servers like IIS or deploying to the cloud.

  1. Cross-Platform Portability

By adopting technologies like HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript, Access could be made portable across platforms, including macOS. This would address a long-standing demand from Mac users while opening up new markets. Making Access cross-platform would further solidify its position as THE premier database development tool.

  1. Standalone Application Compilation

Introduce a feature allowing Access to “compile” applications into standalone executables or deployable packages using a web server wrapper. This would allow apps to run without Access being installed, eliminating the need for an “Access Runtime Edition” and simplifying deployment.

  1. Launch (again) an “Access Developer’s Edition”

Create a dedicated Access Developer’s Edition, sold separately from Office, with advanced tools tailored for developers. This edition would serve as a powerful but accessible alternative to Visual Studio, focused on creating portable, platform-independent database applications.

  1. Flexible Integration with Office

While keeping Access standalone, provide optional integration with other Office apps through exposed libraries. This would give developers more control over how they interact with Word, Excel, and Outlook, or not at all if the goal is to be fully portable.

These updates would not only modernize Access but also position it as the go-to tool for lightweight, platform-agnostic database development. With cross-platform potential and standalone application capabilities, Access could meet the growing demand for versatile, efficient, and independent database solutions.

Thank you for your time and for considering these suggestions. I’d love to hear your thoughts and discuss how we, as a community, can help shape the future of Microsoft Access...

Or is this the recipe FOR THE REPLACEMENT of Microsoft Access? ;-)

Sincerely,
Fabrizio

An Access Developer since version 1.0

Microsoft 365 and Office | Access | Other | Other

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. George Hepworth 21,805 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-12-08T15:59:40+00:00
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  2. Anonymous
    2024-12-08T17:39:42+00:00

    You're interested in a web application? Let's clarify a few points:

    1. Access is its own unique tool. It serves its purpose as-is. Requesting a complete rewrite in a new language isn't practical, especially given the wide array of web development technologies available today.
    2. If a web app is your goal, you have the freedom to choose from numerous programming languages and frameworks (PHP, .net, PowerApps, Blazor, ...). Select one that suits your needs and start building. Many developers, myself included, have made this transition successfully in recent years.

    Also, It's important to understand that this forum is designed for questions, not for providing suggestions to Microsoft. Microsoft development team members rarely, if ever, participate here directly.

    For suggestions or feedback on Microsoft applications like Access, the appropriate channel is the official Feedback Portal. For Access specifically, use this URL: https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/forum/818e3b49-e61b-ec11-b6e7-0022481f8472  This is where you can directly communicate your ideas to the Microsoft Access team.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Duane Hookom 26,280 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-12-09T03:51:10+00:00

    I'm not overly opposed to a few posts once in a great while of "discussion" type. At least one other forum I participate in allows the selection of Thread Type when creating a new thread.

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  4. ScottGem 68,755 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-12-09T12:45:34+00:00

    Most of your improvements are for web enabling Access. The thing is Microsoft has been trying to do that for more than a decade. They have been unable to do so without completely changing the character of Access as a reasonable platform for the non programmer.

    I believe the better focus would be to create a viable way for Access to interface with cloud based data platforms. Being able to use a local front end with a cloud based backend easily and with good performance would thrust Access into a new level.

    As to your recommendation for #s 4, 5 and 8. #4 has always been a strength of Access. It has always been able to use other database engines effectively. #5 I doubt if we will ever see without a complete rewrite of Access' code base. And #8 already exists through VBA.

    On #6, There are third party tools that can install Access with the runtime to create the semblance of launching an Access app as a standalone. But having such a tool built in would be nice.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-12-17T01:12:06+00:00

    No.

    Ie. does not work in air gaped environment.

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