
MS Access As A Dev Tool
Access continues to be a highly efficient tool for business database development.
Don't let a broken database ruin your business. We repair broken databases, program
custom Microsoft Access databases, convert Excel to Access, and upgrade old Access
databases to the latest version. Call (323) 285-0939 now for a FREE consultation.
The Best Microsoft Access Database Solutions owner, consultant, and principal programmer is Alison Balter - a recognized expert Microsoft Access programmer San Diego, CA. Alison is the author of 15 Microsoft Access training books and videos. She is a frequent guest speaker at MS Access conferences and has developed hundreds of applications for businesses of all types.
We know your business data is important; we listen to your concerns, ask questions, and gather information from all stake holders. We discuss your needs and requirements for your database. We find out what you want, why you need various features so we can obtain as much information as possible. Once we have the information we need, we work with you to design the proper database architecture, plus the dashboards, the questions (queries), forms, and reports you need for an excellent database system.
We also create websites designed for speed to display your data accurately, using ASP.NET technology. Fast, secure, and robust, our ASP.NET web sites and web applications give you true business tool for finding and displaying information dynamically on the web.
Access continues to be a highly efficient tool for business database development.
How to create a Microsoft Access application with some unique tips and tricks.
Your Access developer near me has some great info for you about using Access efficiently.
Microsoft Access isn't new, having been available since 1992, but it's still moving forward. The 2024 release brings meaningful updates that help people who actually use Access every day, whether they're managing internal databases for a department or building tools for a small business. If you've been using Access for years, some of these improvements will make your life easier. If you're just stepping into Access development, this version is more welcoming than older ones.
One of the practical changes: you can now open SQL View directly from the Navigation Pane. No more extra clicks just to get into the SQL code. It's a small thing, but it saves time if you work directly in queries often. And for people who manage dozens, or hundreds, of queries, skipping the clutter matters.
Memory limits have been raised too. If you're using the 32-bit version of Access, you now get support for Large Address Aware (LAA), which increases the amount of memory Access can use. The previous 2GB cap was a pain when working with complex forms or bulky reports. LAA doesn't fix everything, but it helps.
The technical ceiling has also gone up. The number of open tables has doubled, from 2,048 to 4,096. The number of simultaneous connections has gone from 256 to 512. For people managing split databases or multi-user environments, this reduces interruptions and makes things more stable.
VBA code signing is back, and that's useful for organizations that need to verify and track who wrote what. You can now sign your code directly from the VBA editor again. This isn't about fancy features, it's about making Access play nicer in professional IT environments where change control matters.
A major under-the-hood shift is the move to Edge Browser Control. It replaces the old Internet Explorer-based engine for embedding web content. If you've been trying to add dashboards, HTML forms, or even basic web views into Access, this change finally makes it usable. It also brings Access in line with modern web standards.
The Dataverse Connector has also been improved. You can now connect Access with Microsoft's Power Platform. It's not a perfect bridge, but it lets you combine on-prem Access front-ends with cloud data. For businesses moving toward Microsoft 365 or PowerApps, this helps bridge the gap.
Users on Microsoft 365 will also notice a new Monaco SQL Editor. It adds syntax highlighting and autocomplete when editing SQL queries. This doesn't sound exciting, but if you've ever squinted at a long JOIN statement trying to find a missing comma, you'll appreciate it.
Charts got a small but helpful boost too. New types like radar and waterfall charts are now available, and the older ActiveX chart controls are being phased out. No, Access won't replace a full dashboard tool, but these changes mean you don't have to export everything to Excel just to create a simple visual.
If you're running an older Access database that's grown messy over the years, this release is a good excuse to clean things up. These changes won't magically modernize your app, but they give you more room to improve performance, reduce crashes, and better integrate with newer Microsoft tools.
Microsoft continues to slowly updat Microsoft Access to fit into the Microsoft 365 and Power Platform world. It's still one of the fastest ways to build custom tools that don't require a full development team. But it's not built for everything. Access works best for single-user systems, department-level tools, and applications that need to be built quickly and maintained locally.
If your database supports dozens or hundreds of users or requires tight cloud integration, you'll hit limits. And when you do, it makes sense to start looking at SQL Server, Azure, or other options. But Access still has a place, especially now that it's been refreshed with new tools, better performance, and a more modern feature set.
When you need a Microsoft Access programmer for your San Diego, California business, call MS Access Solutions at (323) 285-0939. We have over 25+ years experience as Microsoft Access programmer professionals.
We build Microsoft Access database applications for a wide range of industries: mediacl offices and hospitals, government agencies, higher education, agriculture, employment agencies, insurance, oil and gas, and the U.S. military. These aren’t generic templates. Every system is designed to match the way your business runs, using forms, reports, and logic tailored to your data and processes.
Our services cover the full spectrum. We take on large-scale Access applications with dozens of forms, complex queries, and multi-user setups. We also handle smaller projects; repairs, optimizations, or one-off tools for internal teams. No project is too small if it solves a real problem.
We also specialize in hybrid database development, using Microsoft Access as the front-end and SQL Server as the back-end. This setup gives you the familiar Access interface while gaining the scalability, reliability, and security of SQL Server.
In a hybrid configuration, your data lives in SQL Server, either on-premises or in the cloud. Access handles the interface: forms, buttons, reports, and user workflows. You get the best of both worlds, Microsoft Access for rapid development and usability, SQL Server for performance and enterprise-grade storage.
We help businesses make this transition without disrupting day-to-day operations. If you're outgrowing an Access-only setup or running into limitations with data size or concurrent users, this is often the next logical step. We design, implement, and support SQL Server integration so your database can grow with your business.
Map of cities we serve in San Diego County, including the city of San Diego. Click on the map to expand.
Find out more about our Microsoft Access programmer services on the Microsoft Access Programmer Chula Vista, California web page.