UPDATED JUNE 2017: Prices updated and a 6th app added…

Yes you read that correctly! Up until recently, there was no way to open a Microsoft Access database directly on a Mac. However, there are, at the time of writing, five apps, all available from the Mac App Store, which allow you to open and view data in Access database tables. Below is a summary of the apps.

MDB Tool

Except for the multiple Access readers designed specifically for Apple computers, it is possible to find a special software for converting Access files to other formats compatible with Mac OS X. Most of the online converters are free of charge with some limitations when it comes to the size of the file. Download microsoft access 2016 for free. Office Tools downloads - Microsoft Office Access by Microsoft and many more programs are available for instant and free download.

• Opens MDB and ACCDB files (2007 only, not 2010/2013)
• Only provides access to tables. Does not support queries, forms or reports
• Exports to CSV and SQL formats
• Available for £5.99 from https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/mdb-tool-for-microsoft-access/id513995545?mt=12

MDB Explorer

• Opens tables from multiple databases at same time
• Exports to various formats including CSV, TXT, Excel and SQL
• Filter, sort and search functionality allows you to easily find the information you need
• Supports MDB but ACCDB support is available via in-app purchase £9.99
• Available for £9.99 from https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/mdb-explorer/id506622388?mt=12

MDB ACCDB Viewer

• Opens MDB and ACCDB files
• Search functionality
• If you double click a record it opens in a separate window – great for reading long text entries
• Exports to various formats including Excel, CSV, SQL
• Documentation includes instructions for transferring to Bento, Numbers, Open Office
• Available for £18.99 from https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/mdb-accdb-viewer/id417392270?mt=12

MDBLite

• Converts MDB to SQLite
• SQLite is a small database engine found in many gadgets and small websites
• Just drag and drop the MDB file onto the app’s window
• Supports MDB format only
• Available for £3.99 from https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/mdblite/id487704620?mt=12

ACCDB Explorer

• From the same company that makes MDB Explorer
• Similar functionality to MDB Explorer but supports ACCDB as well as MDB
• Reads attachments from 2007 format databases
• Reads calculated fields from Access 2010 format databases
• £19.99 from https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/accdb-explorer/id577722815?mt=12

Viewer for Access Database

• I have added this one following an email I received from the developer (Disclaimer: I am NOT making any money from this!)
• At this time the app supports to open, view and export accdb and mdb files.
• The developer will improve the app on user request in the next weeks/li>
• £2.99 from https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/access-database-viewer/id1241742780?mt=12

Editor for Access Database

The only Mac App which allow you edit MS Access Database on Mac directly. View, Edit and Create Microsoft Access database on your Mac with the App. You can view data easily with Filter, Sort, Paging, and export data or schema to other databases, also edit data directly with very customizable data control, create new databases and create new tables.

Software developers, data architects and power users have expressed a need to run Microsoft Access on their Mac without partitioning their hard drives or restarting.

Firstly, if you fall into this category, Parallels Desktop for Mac can assist you with developing application software without reformatting or rebooting your machine. As seen below:

Access 2016 in Win10 in Parallels Desktop

Access Runtime 2016 For Macs

Secondly, users can create tables, queries, forms, and reports that connect their projects together with macros. Even more advanced users utilize Visual Basic for apps to write advanced data manipulation and user control solutions.

Here at Parallels, we’re excited whenever our customers share with us the incredible projects they produce and how Parallels Desktop has helped them get work done faster!

Check out how some of our users are using virtualization for Microsoft Access:

Juan Becker of New York – “I was given a Mac when coming onto the team at a new job and as a life-long Microsoft guy I was missing the most important application for my position: Microsoft Access. I needed it and that was the issue but had no idea how to get it on my Mac or if it would even work.

I found Parallels as a solution for running Microsoft Access through the Parallels forums and saw other users had success. There are specific macros such as ActiveX data objects that work within MS Access that I need for my position and Parallels was and is so easy to use, which makes me a user for life. I additionally ended up buying Parallels Access for remotely connecting to my Mac or Windows through my tablet and phone, which allows me to travel for work without my laptop.

That, along with all of the other options and tools that Parallels offers, was a no-brainer, and like I said before, I was instantly sold and will remain a user for life!”

Access 2016 Runtime Macro Security

Jason Cooper of Indiana – “I am running a fairly large Microsoft Access database (roughly 60 MB), and as a longtime Boot Camp user, I quickly found myself needing to avoid restarting my machine every time I wanted to switch operating systems in order to speed up my work productivity.

The reputation of Parallels Desktop is what sold me three years ago. The first time I ran one of my queries through Parallels, it processed very quickly, in around five seconds.

I’m the lead webmaster and director of information security for my company, so finding a solution for Microsoft Access was a necessity. Additionally, I plan to do multi-platform software testing for work and found that Microsoft Access runs through Parallels exactly as if I were running it on a PC.”

Access Runtime 2016 For Mac Os

Nevertheless, Parallels Desktop is an easy and cost-effective solution to run Microsoft Access on your Mac. It provides our customers and their employees with the right tools, which effectively allows our customers to be more productive in a virtual world. Try running Windows programs on your Mac without restarting for 14 days here FREE: Try Now!

Need Microsoft Windows operating system to get started with Microsoft Access? Buy directly below: