MS Access Migration - How?

Can't you export the database from Access as a CSV file and re-import it to MySQL or FileMaker Pro? You will need to first create the databases on the programs you plan to import the data to (i.e. create the necessary columns, data type, etc.). Then you can just do a simple import.

No problem, conceptdev. I don't think it's very difficult to export and import databases--you are not the first one on Earth to have tried, so I'm sure solutions exist. In any event, you can select "Save As" on your Access database to save the database in other formats, including CSV or ODBC. I'm pretty confident you can then import them into any database you want.

As for your concerns about MS locking you down to a proprietary format, your feeling is completely justified. I think in this case, MS just could not lock its users to an MS-only format for databases as there are many other types of databases more popular than Access.

Good luck!

Is this a data-only conversion? i.e. table design and data?
or do we have a bigger problem here with forms? queries, VBA modules, etc?

The first should be easy to expoert/import. The second, well, you need MS Access and the know-how to read the forms/queries/code and then convert it to something similar in another dbase solution.

Originally posted by iShater
Is this a data-only conversion? i.e. table design and data?
or do we have a bigger problem here with forms? queries, VBA modules, etc?

The first should be easy to expoert/import. The second, well, you need MS Access and the know-how to read the forms/queries/code and then convert it to something similar in another dbase solution.

Click to expand...

-conceptdev, iShater

Good questions both.

Well, for a migration, the first thing to do is the data(tables). And yes, the best way is to export the tables from Access as flat files (.txt), not even .csv.

And, I always use the pipe "|" as my delimiter, not coma "," or tab as my delimiter because the odds of someone having a pipe in their data is very slim compared to tabs and commas.

As for the migration of Queries, Forms, Reports, Macros, and Modules, well, most likely not, unless there is a proprietary importer in Filemaker itself that can extract from the Access .mdb file directly. In fact, if you can do that, get your tables that way as well.

I hope that helped a bit.

Actually FileMaker Pro can read Excel worksheets. Access can export Excel worksheets. This would be good for data with funny characetrs in it.

This is the easiest way to export access to mySQL:

a) Set-up a blank mySQL db on the mac.
b) Go into the ODBC administrator, which is located in applications/utilities/
c) Setup a new System DSN
d) Go to the PC and via access export the DB to ODBC.
e) Enter the IP address, DB name and login details for the mySQL db on your mac.
f) Export the DB

and voila the access DB has exported itself directly into your blank mySQL db on the mac.

You might have to install the mySQL ODBC drivers on your mac if they are not visible. Even though you have mySQL installed and running you may not have the system ODBC drivers. You can get them from http://www.mysql.org