In 2007 Microsoft finally gave a major overhaul to its Access Database Application. The new Access 2007 is a seriously modernised package compared to previous Access packages with lots of new features and a shiny new look and feel with its user interface.

Display Windows Revision

Previous versions of Access have forced users to deal with lots of floating windows at once. Access 2007 removes the clutter and organises windows into neat tabs. A navigation pane on the left lets users choose a database object to work with. The pane is permanently visible, but you can collapse it into a narrow bar if you want more workspace. The upshot is that working in the less congested new interface is much easier and more enjoyable.

Microsoft haven't forgotten about the old-school Access users either. You can still bring back the overlapping windows - useful for viewing several database objects at a time. Access 2007 handles databases created in previous versions of the program without a problem, though the new display environment and code security settings will force long-time users to adjust a bit.

Files in your database

One of the new features is the file Attachment type, which permits you users to embed entire files into the database. It's an efficient and convenient way to store pictures, documents and other files alongside a related record. However there is a downside, MS Access databases are still limited to a maximum of 2GB in size so you can't use Access to store movies, music and other large files.

An attachment field can hold as many files as you want, so it can be used as an all-purpose container for extra bits of information. If you have a table of employees, you could associate a photo, CV or other items.

Simplified security

Good databases use code, and code can be a hindrance at times. Previous versions of Access handled bad code by popping up endless warning messages that users had to click through every time they opened a database.

Access 2007 uses a better approach. When you open a database, the program quietly disables all potentially unsafe macro actions and code. A slim security message then appears at the top of the window, informing you that your database has been restricted. You can switch your code back on with a couple of clicks or place your database in a folder designated as a trusted location. After this you won't see an unnecessary security warning again.

Forms and reports

Designing data-entry forms and reports in Access can be a bit tedious. To get the exact arrangement of information you want, you have to drag each piece of information to the right place individually. Access 2007 improves this situation dramatically with a feature called layouts, which keeps information together in neat columns or tables.

Layouts are now a pleasure to work with because Access includes a new Wysiwyg (what you see is what you get) form and report designer. Using these tools, you can apply formatting and see the results immediately - something previous versions of Access were sadly lacking.

Your Don't Need Microsoft Access to run Access 2007 databases

For serious developers of Access database solutions the decision to make the runtime free is a breakthrough that no other database application has at the moment. The simple fact that's its totally free to anybody now makes MS Access THE database development tool to use! You can create professional applications that install just like any other software application and the end users don't need MS Access to run them.

Microsoft Access Runtime 2007

Microsoft Office Access 2007 provides a rich platform for developing database management solutions with easy-to-use customization tools. If no end-user customization is required (including report modifications), you can choose to distribute those Access 2007 solutions so that they run without requiring a full installation of Access 2007. To do so, you must package and distribute your application with the Access 2007 Runtime.

With Access 2007 Runtime you will find the Access Application Packager allows you to package the access runtime inside your created MSI files so the end user can have all the required files to run the Access 2007 Database application all on one CD. This make it a complete distributable software package.

The link below will take you to Microsoft to take a look at the Access Runtime info and the packaging extensions with download links...

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