Microsoft Access

Description

Microsoft Access is a relational database management software (RDBMS), for the desktop environment. The software is primarily designed for single users, but it provides many features found in large scale RDBMS applications like Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle Database. Access is only available for Windows, unlike many other Microsoft Office applications.

Access provides visual tools to create and populate databases. It includes workflow tools for making online database-driven Web applications, which are useful for collaborative data entry and data management. After creating and developing a Web application in Access, you can publish it on a Microsoft SharePoint server.

Microsoft Access includes all the tools you need to manage your database. This allows you to create complex or simple databases. For example, you can generate schemas, build input forms, and create reports without having to write any database code. Complete Access databases are encapsulated as .ACCDB files (or .MDB files for older versions), which can easily be transferred to other computers - something that is not easily accomplished with most large-scale RDBMS applications.

Access is used by small- to medium-sized businesses for customer information, inventories, and other business-related data. Access' affordability and ease-of-use make it an excellent choice for tracking personal assets or contacts at home.

▶ Other extension used by Microsoft Access 2016