MS Access/Excel version needed on remote desktop/server

Question

I'm trying to find the correct version of MS Access and Excel needed to allow multiple Users access to a single remote desktop/server.  I've loaded MS Access and Excel files on an Amazon Web Service Instance (remote desktop/server).  I have 5 Client Access Licenses which will allow 5 different Users access to the remote desktop at the same time.  Now I need a MS Access and Excel executable that will support multiple Users on a single remote desktop.  I've reached out to MS, but they have not been able to direct me or tell me how to upgrade or modify the MS version I currently have (Office 365 Enterprise E3) to support the needs listed above.

Answer 1

Hi Dean,

Thanks for the detailed information.

We are the MS team to support the related issue you encountered. We would continue helping you. Since you don't contract other MS technological supports, so you don't have the SR ticket.

According to your description, it seems to be some settings you don't finish in Office 365 ProPlus with RDS. Given the situation, I would suggest you follow this article "Overview of shared computer activation for Office 365 ProPlus" to check and finish the settings.

For any concerns, feel free to let us know.

Regards,

Eli

Answer 2

Thanks Eli,

Sorry for the delayed response, been addressing other issues.  I'm working on this now.  I'm not seeing where I can assign licenses to Active Users.  On the remote desktop, each User has their own log in ID/Pswd and their own directories.  When I loaded Office 365 Enterprise E3, I did so as Administrator.  I did NOT load a copy for each individual User, didn't think I needed to.  Can you direct me to ensure I've assigned licenses properly?

Thanks,

Dean

Answer 3

Hi Dean,

May I know if the issue has been resolved? If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Regards,

Eli

Answer 4

Hello Eli,

Thanks for the quick reply.  I don't think I explained my situation well enough and using the word "version" in the subject wasn't the best choice.  I'm able to share the documents without any problem.  We're using an Amazon Web Service shared server running Windows Server 2016 Datacenter.  It will accept two Users logged on at the same time.  I've loaded Office 365 Enterprise E3 on to the Server (if there are different versions or licensing types, I'd need to know how to look that up).  The Server acts like a remote desktop, meaning we RDP into the Server, then launch Access and Excel.  I've already split the Access database, so sharing the database is not a problem.  Each User has their own copy of the Excel file which queries the back-end Access database, so using Excel is not a problem.  The problem started when I "loaded" the User Client Access Licenses (CALs).  As soon as I "loaded" the CALs and tried to launch Access or Excel, I received a message stating that they "cannot work on a computer running Terminal Service".  During the process of "loading" the CALs, there was a note stating "ensure licensing mode is set to Per User".  I'm not familiar with CALs or Server Settings, so I'm lost on how to do that.  I also saw some references to "Collections", which I have not set up, nor do I know how.  So, it could be the way I set up the CALs, it could be the licensing of Office 365 that I'm using or should be using, or something different.  I've contacted MS, but their Sales Team cannot help with my issue, I require more technical expertise.  Any help that you or anyone on this community can provide would be much appreciated.

As for the SR, I'm not quire sure what you're looking for, can you let me know how to find the SR and I'd be glad to provide it?

Thanks,

Dean

Answer 5

Hi Dean,

I did not find out an official article which mentioned the version limitation on Remote Desktop Services. If you want to find the correct version so that your users could cooperate with each other in the same workbook or multi-person manage the same Access database, I would suggest you try to use Excel co-authoring that users can open and work on the same Excel workbook. Regarding Access, you could try to share an Access desktop database with users who need to use it. Here is Ways to share an Access desktop database for your reference.

If your goal is different from the situation above, feel free to let us know.

Besides, we would also like to collect the Service Request (SR) ticket number to help check the situation you has submitted via private message.

Regards,

Eli