Migrate MSAccess forms, reports and modules to Web

Question

Over many years I have designed an increasingly sophisticated program with MSAccess 2019 Front End and SQL 2019 Back End.
What will be a practical migration of all the Front End forms, reports, and modules to a web base program?
Is the migration of SQL 2019 to Azure a good solution for the Back End database?

Thanks,
Norbert

Answer 1

Hi,

The advantages and disadvantages of local SQL Server vs. Azure SQL can be widely discussed. The options for the Access frontend, on the other hand, look less bright than in that answer.

> You can convert your Access forms to Access App.

Gustav has already pointed out that there are no more "Access Apps". Both technologies that Microsoft introduced earlier were discontinued years ago. Unfortunately, Microsoft's warnings on the corresponding outdated websites are often inadequate and confuse many people. However, the one in this article is relatively clearly stated.

> Use a third-party solution.

The website does not even contain a company name or address, nor does it mention the web technologies used or anything else in terms of real technical or commercial information. Just some blah blah and a web contact form to Unknown. I would be skeptical and careful with this "offer".

> Rewrite your forms as web app.

That's what it boils down to. Either you completely rewrite the frontend (not only forms but also logic, code, reports etc.) with web technologies or you have it done. Because of this high effort (technical/time/financial), many people shy away from this step. Or they move the complete Access application (+ usually their backend) to a web server with Windows and Access or Access Runtime.

Servus
Karl
Access News
Access DevCon

Answer 2

Here you will find some of the benefits to migrate from SQL 2019 to Azure SQL Database as back end database. Here you will find steps to migrate the database.

The following are a few ways to migrate your forms to the Web apps:

• You can convert your Access forms to Access App.
• Use a third-party solution.
• Rewrite your forms as web app.

About the Access reports, once you move the back end to Azure SQL, you can use Power BI Online to query your access database and recreate your reports. You have Direct Query available for your queries related to the reports. Your users can use existing reports with Azure SQL as back end. Here more information about Power BI Service or Power BI Online.

Answer 3

Hi @Anonymous

if I may to chip in with the discussion from here:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/493190/convert-ms-access-desktop-app-with-vba-to-web-base.html

Maybe have a look at how was this Access template migrated to the web in just a few hours.

Here is a challenge, can anyone make this faster? No, because the migration is online. And it works for FE.
BE modules and reports should be rewritten to Python, as they were.

D.