File Maker Pro
FileMaker is probably the best known database application for the Mac. It has a feature set comparable to Microsoft Access, but with a strong focus on forms (layouts) as the primary way of accessing databases. Similar to Access, FileMaker stores your database logic and all the data in a single file. It also has some support for scripting, and offers options for publishing databases on the web.
Back in the day, FileMaker Pro ruled the Mac side of the desktop database world. Microsoft Access did the same for Windows PCs. It was a cash cow for Microsoft. They saw no reason to port it to OS X. It’s a fairly specialized app, and an expensive. Start quickly with the most recent versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and OneDrive —combining the familiarity of Office and the unique Mac features you love. Work online or offline, on your own or with others in real time—whatever works for what you’re doing.
Otherwise, there are a few spreadsheet apps for Mac, including Numbers from Apple's iWork office suite, LibreOffice (free and open source), and others. Apr 09, 2019 Microsoft Access is a customer facing frontend to the Microsoft Jet Database Engine. Here is a video explaining how you can get a free cloud server with amazon and install office on it for free. Then you can remotely access it with your mac. Microsoft Office Access is not available for Mac but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on macOS with similar functionality. The most popular Mac alternative is LibreOffice - Base, which is both free and Open Source.If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Microsoft Office Access and many of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a.
However, it's also necessary to note that FileMaker is very different from Access. There is a strict distinction between application logic and the underlying tables in Access. In FileMaker, logic and data are more closely linked. The underlying tables are more or less hidden from the user, and not as easily accessible via SQL as in Access.
Bento
Bento was the entry level database application from the makers of Filemaker. Unfortunately it has been discontinued in July 2013 and is no longer available for purchase.
Open Office / Libre Office
Open Office and Libre office include a database application that tries to mimic Microsoft Access. It is difficult to use and misses many important features, such as simple import/export tools.
SQLite (using Base)
SQLite is not a full database application like Access. There are no forms or reports in SQLite, there's only your data and a simple, fast SQL engine. SQLite is used by many applications under the hood as an internal format and therefore most interesting to application developers.
A command line utility for SQLite 3 is included with every Mac, aptly named sqlite3. Most people will however prefer working with a graphical application like the excellent Base from Menial (available on the Mac App Store). Base offers a simple interface for viewing tables (with support for images) and creating custom SQL queries.
Apple Numbers and Microsoft Excel
Numbers and Excel are spreadsheet applications and thus not a replacement for Microsoft Access. However, they have good support for working with tables. If your database consists of only few tables and no forms, these apps might just do the trick. You can at least sort and filter your tables.
Converting Access Databases to Apple Numbers with MDB Viewer
Converting Access Databases to Microsoft Excel with MDB Viewer
Microsoft Access in Parallels / VMWare
If none of the above are suitable, you can always ressort to actually running Microsoft Access on your Mac using virtualisation software like Parallels Desktop or VMWare Fusion.
Access On Mac
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
- 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
Is There Ms Access For Mac
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
Is There Ms Access For Mac Catalina
Editor for Access Database
Ms Access On A Mac
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.