Using Access in Microsoft's OneDrive

[rjgriffin46]

Our organization is in the process of upgrading their technology infrastructure. They would like to eliminate shared file server files and move everyone to Microsoft OneDrive for file storage and sharing. I've been asked to test the Access databases I've developed in this environment.

From what I can see and have read, including Microsoft's documentation, Access cannot function in OneDrive. Unlike other MS Office programs like Word and Excel, OneDrive does not even offer an ability to open an Access file that is in OneDrive cloud, only to download. I'm guessing that an Access file that is local to one's PC can be "Synced" with OneDrive cloud. Our IT manager want's to test sharing the database with each user, having them do their updating locally and rely on the syncing to One Drive cloud to apply each user's updates. I think this will result in multiple versions of the Access file being synced to the OneDrive cloud but no one version will have everyone's updates. I could envision sharing a front end this way, but not the back end (all our databases are split). All databases are currently Access 2010.

Ultimately the goal is to put everyone in the organization on Chromebooks/boxes, using Office365 in the cloud and with all data in OneDrive cloud.

I would be interested, therefore, in perspectives on OneDrive for Access and other alternatives for cloud based Access deployment. I've read in Microsoft articles that they suggest using PowerApps in Office 365 going forward as an alternative to Access, so any information on that would also be appreciated.

Thanks

[CJ_London]

test away on a db that doesn't matter to confirm but your assessment is correct - also I suspect you will have a similar issue with excel and word files etc where users open, make changes and save.

I've not tried it but you could migrate the backend to sharepoint or sql azure. The front end should be less of an issue because it should never change and everyone should have their own copy of the front end anyway.

The other thing you can look at is using something like a cloud based terminal server or citrix rather than one drive - which you might remind your IT manager that one drive is about file sharing, not application sharing.

Power apps has its uses, but it is not a substitute for access. but might be ok for your purposes is if all you are doing with access is analysing data and not using it for data input and data management.

[rjgriffin46]

Ajax: Thanks for your reply. I am looking into the alternatives you mentioned. Your thoughts on PowerApps is interesting. I wonder what Microsoft's future direction for Access is. This year old article and links within give an idea: https://redmondmag.com/articles/2017...nt-online.aspx. I'm not real familiar with all the technology mentioned, but it sounds like Microsoft doesn't want anything to do with Access on line as they are ending support for Access Services in Sharepoint online, though not Sharepoint server. I hope to look further into PowerApps and Microsoft Flow later this year after my current Access development is completed.

[CJ_London]

I've just returned from a conference about access - Microsoft are fully committed to it - recently it was returned to the office suite as a standard. I've also seen what is coming for Access 2019 - looks impressive. There's some really interesting stuff around graphs for example - using the same engine as excel. The fact it is not a web based technology does not make it irrelevant. Access only needs to share the backend (users each have their own copy of the front end) and can still use sharepoint (or sql azure or other online rdbms), but as a client based front end, not a web based one - and if you are thinking of moving to office 365 and want to be able to work offline, your apps (excel/word etc) will still need to be client based.

[rjgriffin46]

There are Office 365 "cloud" versions of at least Outlook, Word and Excel, maybe PowerPoint, though I think they are not as full featured as the desktop versions. But the hope is they will be sufficient for a large majority of users. Thanks for this additional information!