Mac database app to replace Microsoft Access

[baxlobs]

I have an old MS Access database that I only use for a Xmas card list with names & addresses to print labels etc.
Is there a Mac app that a) could import the Access data and b) print selected address labels from the database?
Currently I run Access with Parallels.

 

[ssmed]

Filemaker is available for home use and is relatively easy to set up and use. There are likely a few App store 'small' databases around, but label printing might not be on their list of features so I would definitely check that.

Importing MS Access data will require, for the best results, you to export from Access in a suitable format with perhaps a little prior data massaging.

Filemaker and other programmable systems like 4D are rather over the top for the use case. I wonder whether you might be better looking at the software associated with Mac-compatible label printers which may handle the task and have an intrinsic list system.

 

[baxlobs]

Thanks, I will look into Filemaker and see if it might do what I want.

 

[maflynn]

I only use for a Xmas card list with names & addresses

For a simple list, why not use excel or LibreOffice?

 

[Matz]

As noted above, you could use Excel, or even Numbers. Exporting your current mailing list would be simple, and both apps have templates for mailing lists. Filemaker would be overkill for what you're describing.

 

[brookter1]

What about using Pages – after a while when mail merge wasn't available, it's now possible once again.

You can either import your Access details into your Mac's Contacts app, or into a Numbers spreadsheet, and then use it to print the labels. Both Pages and Numbers are free, of course.

How to use the new mail merge in Pages | AppleInsider

Apple should not have taken eight years to reintroduce mail merge to Pages, but now it's back. Here's how to make the most of the new feature.

appleinsider.com

 

[hg.wells]

Another option is just using the contacts app on your Mac and Pages. Pages can Mail Merge either from the contacts app or a spreadsheet.

 

[Danfango]

You can actually just do this in Contacts:

Print mailing labels, envelopes and contact lists in Contacts on Mac

In Contacts on your Mac, print mailing labels, envelopes or a list of contacts.

support.apple.com

Just create a new list, add the addresses, then print and select mailing labels.

 

[rhett7660]

Are you doing just labels from your current DB? No custom cards via the reporting function within Access correct?

If that is the case, I think you have more than enough options here.

It all depends on if you want to keep those names and addresses separate from your contacts or have them all co-mingled.

 

[baxlobs]

Are you doing just labels from your current DB? No custom cards via the reporting function within Access correct?

If that is the case, I think you have more than enough options here.

It all depends on if you want to keep those names and addresses separate from your contacts or have them all co-mingled.

Hi,

Thanks for all replies, I do run a query which provides the data for a report to print labels on a 14 label sheet.
I can choose each year which people in the main table will get labels.
I definitely don't want the Xmas list mingled with my normal contacts list. I have had a quick look at the print option in Contacts and it only seems tp front an envelope with my address on as well?

 

[baxlobs]

You can actually just do this in Contacts:

Print mailing labels, envelopes and contact lists in Contacts on Mac

In Contacts on your Mac, print mailing labels, envelopes or a list of contacts.

support.apple.com

Just create a new list, add the addresses, then print and select mailing labels.

Thanks, I have had a look at this and it does seem to produce labels in the right format. As I have already said I don't really want to have to enter a large number of names an addresses into a new list in Contacts, but I guess that could be the answer.
It would avoid having to run Access using Parallels.

 

[hg.wells]

Thanks, I have had a look at this and it does seem to produce labels in the right format. As I have already said I don't really want to have to enter a large number of names an addresses into a new list in Contacts, but I guess that could be the answer.
It would avoid having to run Access using Parallels.

Can you not export your contacts from Access?

 

[DisraeliGears]

Rather than a system app, what about something web based? I'm in love at the moment with AirTable, and depending on how you can export the data from Access and merge it into AirTable, that may serve your function? Just another idea.

 

[Fishrrman]

I have no experience with MS Access.

But...
If you're trying to move data from one database app to another, the FIRST THING you need to do is to EXPORT data (from your old app) in a format that will be readable by the new app.

Does MS Access have "export" capabilities (will either be in the file menu as "Save As..." or "Export")?

You'll probably want to export as "tab delimited" or perhaps "comma delimited".
What this means:
Tab delimited -- uses a tab character between data fields, and uses a carriage return to begin a new record
Comma delimited -- uses comma between data fields, and carriage return to begin new record.

Both of the above data export formats create a "plain old" text file that can be read by almost anything.

You can then import into either a database app or a spreadsheet such as Excel or Numbers (or LibreOffice).

I'm going to guess that label printing apps might also be able to "lift" the data out of a text file, also.

Or... perhaps Pages could, as well.

Final thought:
You could try the free "iData Pro5" app. See:

iData Pro

www.raccoonbend.com

and

iData Pro 5 Index

I use iData for simple databases and like it a lot.